Vihiga: In a bid to boost agricultural productivity through practical training and knowledge-sharing, the government, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), has successfully concluded a 21-day intensive training program on Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) for Community-Based Facilitators (CBFs) in Vihiga County.

According to Kenya News Agency, the training, which aligns with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Global Field Schools Support Programme, culminated in a graduation ceremony celebrating the newly equipped facilitators. Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Vihiga Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo congratulated the graduands and encouraged them to take the lead in transforming agricultural practices at the grassroots. ‘As you return to your communities, carry this knowledge to empower fellow farmers and help improve food security across our county,’ he urged.

NAVCDP County Project Coordinator Charles Aluda noted that the training was comprehensive and tailored to equip CBFs with essential skills to drive sustainable agricultural development. The training covered various topics including fundamental principles and objectives of FFBS, agro-ecology stem analysis (AESA), livestock ecosystem analysis (LESA), and poultry ecosystem analysis (PESA) using field-based recording tools.

Others included the establishment of Participatory Technology Development (PTD) sites, market assessment and agricultural surveys, and the application of adult learning principles, guided by experiential learning theory. The newly trained facilitators are now expected to cascade the knowledge gained to local farmers, fostering innovation, sustainability, and improved yields in Vihiga’s agricultural sector.