Kitui, Friday, August 28, 2026 — Kitui County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, has officially closed a two-week Farmer Field and Business School (FFBS) training for Community-Based Facilitators (CBFs) and Ward Agricultural Technical Officers in Kitui town.
The training, conducted under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), sought to strengthen the capacity of agricultural extension personnel to effectively support smallholder farmers through the Farmer Field and Business School methodology.
The participants were equipped with skills to disseminate agricultural technologies, innovations and management practices to farmers organised under Common Interest Groups (CIGs) and Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups (VMGs) across Kitui County.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Dr. Kimwele congratulated the participants for successfully completing the training and challenged them to put the knowledge and skills acquired into practice to improve farming methods, agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of farmers.
He emphasized that strengthening the capacity of Community-Based Facilitators and agricultural officers is critical in ensuring farmers receive timely information, appropriate technologies and effective advisory services to enhance agricultural production.
NAVCDP County Project Coordination Unit (CPCU) Coordinator Peter Liru urged the trained facilitators to mobilize farmer groups to join SACCOs, strengthen networks and establish stronger links with relevant institutions. He also encouraged them to promote continuity within farmer groups and serve as good ambassadors of NAVCDP as the project continues supporting beneficiaries.
Dr. Kimwele later awarded certificates to participants who successfully completed the two-week programme, marking their acquisition of skills in the Farmer Field and Business School extension methodology.
The ceremony was attended by Eliud Rotich from KALRO Katumani, Master Trainer Augustavas Muli, Assistant Master Trainer Michael Kilonzo, NAVCDP staff and agricultural officers.
