Nakuru: The national government has announced plans to establish a National Farmers Training Centre at Marindas in Kuresoi North Sub-County, Nakuru, where farmers will acquire modern agricultural skills and technologies aimed at boosting food security and agricultural productivity.
According to Kenya News Agency, the proposed facility will be established at the newly commissioned Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Seed Potato Production Centre, a 600-acre facility expected to serve as a hub for potato seed research and production while bringing agricultural research, extension services, and practical training closer to farmers.
The centre was officially commissioned by Principal Secretary for the State Department for Agriculture Dr. Paul Rono, who said the government would use the facility to strengthen seed research and production while creating a national platform for farmer training. Rono emphasized that the planned National Farmers Training Centre would bridge the gap between agricultural research and farmers by providing practical training on modern production technologies, climate resilience, value addition, and other emerging areas of agriculture.
Nakuru Deputy Governor Dr. David Kones welcomed the establishment of the training centre, saying it would complement the county government’s efforts to strengthen farmer capacity and promote modern agricultural practices. Kones highlighted the issue of farmers’ dependence on recycled planting materials, which contributes to the spread of diseases and lowers productivity.
According to the Deputy Governor, more than 95 per cent of Nakuru farmers continue to rely on saved seed, with every season of recycling increasing the risk of carrying diseases such as bacterial wilt, late blight, and potato cyst nematodes into the next crop. He noted that the centre gives the county an opportunity to address the problem by bringing certified, disease-free seed and modern research closer to farmers.
Nakuru Woman Representative Liza Chelule Chepkorir said the proposed training centre would empower smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people, by providing practical skills and opportunities within agricultural value chains. The Chief Officer for Agriculture, Leonard Bor, noted that the County Government of Nakuru would work closely with KALRO and the national government to ensure farmers benefit from the research, seed production, and training opportunities created at the facility.
The 600-acre KALRO Seed Potato Production Centre is expected to improve farmers’ access to potato seed, seedlings, and agricultural advisory services while supporting increased productivity in the region and beyond. The establishment of the facility comes against the backdrop of the important role potatoes play in Nakuru’s agricultural economy, with Nakuru County being one of Kenya’s leading potato-producing areas.
KALRO Director General Dr. Patrick Ketiem noted that approximately 20,000 potato farmers in Nakuru cultivate more than 38,000 acres, with the county accounting for about 18.9 per cent of national potato production at the time. Despite the crop’s economic importance, inadequate access to certified planting materials remains one of the major constraints to potato production in Kenya.
The new Marindas centre is expected to complement existing efforts by bringing research, seed production, demonstrations, and farmer advisory services closer to one of the country’s major potato-producing regions. Stakeholders said the integration of research, training, and seed production at the centre would also strengthen linkages between farmers, researchers, extension officers, and other players in the potato value chain.
The planned National Farmers Training Centre at Marindas is therefore expected to provide a platform for farmers to access practical agricultural knowledge while strengthening the connection between research institutions, extension officers, and producers. The facility is expected to support farmers not only in potato production but also in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, soil management, pest and disease control, post-harvest handling, value addition, agribusiness, and market access.
The County Government of Nakuru continues to work with the national government, KALRO, and other agricultural stakeholders to promote modern farming practices, improve access to agricultural technologies, and strengthen the resilience and profitability of farming enterprises across the county.
