Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has called on the national government to increase funding for agricultural development, saying adequate investment is key to making farming more profitable and sustainable.
Barasa urged Parliament to enact legislation that would guarantee sufficient funding for agricultural institutions to enable them to provide farmers with modern farming knowledge, extension services and technical support to boost productivity and incomes.
He also appealed to financial institutions to offer affordable and accessible credit to farmers, noting that improved financing would accelerate growth in the sector and ultimately boost food security.
Speaking at the Agricultural Society of Kenya Kakamega showground, the governor said agriculture remains the economic backbone of the country and a key driver of food security and wealth creation.
He said his administration was taking deliberate steps to support farmers, including strengthening extension services, promoting fish farming, expanding dairy farming through the establishment of Smart Dairy Farms, improving animal health services and supporting livestock commercialisation through the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project (KeLCoP).
Barasa said research institutions help farmers adopt modern farming practices and technologies.
He said his administration is also investing in roads, water projects and modern markets to make it easier for farmers to access markets and improve their incomes. He added that ongoing infrastructure projects are improving connectivity, expanding access to clean water and creating better opportunities for trade.
ASK Western region chairperson Purity Anyanje said the society would continue supporting farmers through learning and innovation platforms, while National ASK chairman Dr John Kibira emphasised the need for sustained support to strengthen agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The governor also rallied support for the protection of the Kakamega Forest and announced that the county will host the World Tropical Rainforest Day celebrations on June 22, 2026.
Barasa urged farmers to continue embracing innovation to boost agricultural production and economic growth.
On the 2026-2027 national budget, Barasa said the allocation of Sh428 billion to counties may affect service delivery and efforts to employ Universal Health Coverage healthcare workers on permanent and pensionable terms.
He called for increased funding to counties to enable them to serve wananchi more effectively.
