Kitui Central Agricultural Officers Trained on Smart Farming Tools and Data Systems in High-Impact Sensitization Drive

In a bid to enhance agricultural production, productivity, profitability, and service delivery, the County Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock today held a sensitization meeting on the mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues and conducted field visits for the 3rd Quarter of FY2024/2025 at the Kitui Agricultural Training Centre (KATC).

Agriculture and Livestock officers from Kitui Central were trained on productivity mainstreaming, metrics for data collection and reporting, the use of KoboCollect for efficient data management and real-time submission of extension reports, complaint handling mechanisms, e-waste disposal, and other emerging challenges critical to the day-to-day work of agricultural officers.

Speaking during the forum, the CECM for Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, emphasized the importance of data-driven approaches in achieving sustainable agricultural growth.

“Our goal is to improve the quality of service we provide to farmers by ensuring that all our processes are streamlined, data is captured accurately, and we have effective mechanisms in place for feedback, in line with Dr. Malombe’s manifesto,” he said.

Later in the day, the team conducted field visits to three individual farmers: Francis from Utooni in Kyangwithya West, who is actively engaged in Meat Goats, Dairy Cows, Mango, and Pasture Development value chains; Titus Munyasya from Mulango Ward, involved in Dairy Cattle, Poultry, Goats, and Ndengu (Green Gram) value chains; and John Kimweli, also from Isaangwa, Kyangwithya West, focusing on Poultry production.

The visits aimed to assess the farming practices adopted by local farmers, with a focus on identifying areas for improvement and offering expert guidance to enhance productivity.

The meeting was led by the CECM for Agriculture, Dr. Stephen Mbaya, alongside Chief Officers Gladys Kivoto (Fisheries), Jonathan Kyambi (Livestock), and other senior officers from the county ministry.

The team is set to continue their field visits in other sub-counties, working closely with local farmers and agricultural stakeholders to foster development and promote sustainable agricultural practices across the county.

CGoK.Comm.Dept.