Nyeri: The Royal Government of Thailand plans to partner with the Kenya School of Agriculture (KSA) to offer scholarships to students pursuing master’s and postgraduate training in agro-technology. Thailand, which has been partnering with KSA since 2022, has also promised to continue supporting the training of farmers in Nyeri on adopting simple mechanized farming practices to boost crop production.
According to Kenya News Agency, Thai Ambassador to Kenya, Jirusaya Birananda, announced at the Nyeri-based institution that her government would soon confirm the official commencement date of the program in consultation with KSA. ‘Thailand has supported and given some contribution to the establishment of this learning center (Kenya School of Agriculture) to the tune of Sh28 million to provide some necessary equipment and for capacity building of its personnel,’ she stated. The ambassador emphasized the continuation of capacity-building programs and scholarships for postgraduate diplomas as part of the second phase of cooperation.
Ms. Birananda also mentioned that Thailand will persist in supporting the training of small-scale farmers in modern husbandry skills. She noted that Thailand had already donated several farming pieces of equipment to the center, including the Agropro 365 tractor, which is economical and tailored for use by local small-scale farmers.
The multi-purpose walking tractor, powered by Kubota and distributed by Green Africa Group, uses two liters of diesel per acre ploughed. It comes equipped with cage wheels, a disc plough, a rake, and a moldboard, all costing Sh850,000. Birananda highlighted the broader impact of the program, extending beyond KSA to benefit small-scale farmers in Nyeri County and surrounding areas.
KSA Director Rosemary Nyamu praised the partnership, citing significant benefits for graduates who have acquired modern agricultural skills. Nyamu stated that these skills have been instrumental in training others to adopt new farming methods, enhancing food security in Kenya. She detailed current training initiatives at KSA, including operating the Agropro 365 tractor and value addition training to reduce food losses.
Kenya’s three-year bilateral agreement with Thailand, signed on July 9, 2023, aims to improve food and animal production practices. The agreement involves training Kenyan scientists in modern agriculture technologies through a knowledge transfer partnership facilitated by Thai experts.
The former Thai Ambassador to Kenya, Sasirit Tangulrat, expressed optimism that the partnership would address Kenya’s food crisis exacerbated by consecutive failed rainy seasons. Tangulrat highlighted Thailand’s commitment to establishing ground technology at KSA, focusing on value addition for crops and water management.
Additionally, Tangulrat disclosed plans to dispatch top crop scientists to train Kenyan agriculture students, ensuring the program’s sustainability with ongoing expert support. The training aims to leave a lasting impact on Kenya’s food reserves, addressing food security and climate change challenges with practical technology developed by Thailand.
