Egerton University’s Initiative to Equip Women Farmers with Mechanized Farming Skills
Egerton University has launched a program to empower women farmers across nine counties in Kenya with mechanized farming skills, aiming to bolster food production and improve food security nationwide.
This initiative is designed to provide practical training, create access to agricultural machinery, and foster public-private partnerships to support small-holder female farmers.
Mechanization Hubs and Partnerships:
Egerton University announced plans to develop public-private partnerships to establish mechanization hubs.
These hubs will connect service providers with women farmers who lack access to farm equipment, thus fostering a supportive network for mechanized agriculture.
The program aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), focusing on grassroots empowerment through mechanization.
“This initiative aligns with BETA’s commitment to increasing agricultural productivity and expanding economic opportunities for grassroots communities”, added Prof. Aduda.
Counties and Training Program:
The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Research, and Extension, Prof. Bernard Aduda, highlighted that the program will initially train over 200 women from the counties of Kisumu, Bomet, Nakuru, Kericho, Kisii, Nyamira, Laikipia, Uasin Gishu, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
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These women will gain essential skills for securing food supplies and addressing current food system challenges.
The Deputy VC noted that mechanized farming training would open opportunities for women farmers to adopt advanced production strategies, increase crop yields, and reduce reliance on manual labor.
This approach also aims to make farming more appealing to younger generations. Prof. Aduda emphasized that subsidized mechanization would be essential in improving efficiency and profitability among small-holder farmers.
The training program is supported by organizations like Hello Tractors, One Acre Fund, Kenya Investment Mechanism (KIM), John Deere, CFAO Kenya, Kubota, Massey Ferguson, Heifer International Kenya, and Egerton University’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
These collaborators provide expertise and resources critical to the program’s success.
Enhanced Food Security through Mechanization:
Prof. Aduda explained that mechanized farming could significantly improve crop yields to meet Kenya’s food demand.
Technological advancements have made machines lighter and more affordable, enabling small-holder women farmers to increase both the quantity and quality of their produce.
Egerton University is also pursuing other food security measures, including irrigation, high-quality seeds, and appropriate fertilizers.
“The University is seeking ways of enhancing food security through mechanized farming, irrigation, and use of quality seeds and appropriate fertilizers,” he said.
Mechanized farming, the Deputy VC noted, promotes efficient land preparation, optimized land use, and reduced production costs. It also contributes to job creation, especially among youth and women.
He urged agricultural machinery dealers to train small-holder farmers on equipment operation and maintenance through field days, workshops, farm visits, and seminars to enhance their commercial viability.
Accessible Machinery and Asset Financing:
The University advocated for manufacturers to ensure their machines are simple, reliable, fuel-efficient, and require minimal maintenance.
Prof. Aduda also called for asset financing options tailored to small- and large-scale farmers, suggesting that training should be offered as part of purchase packages to guide new users in maximizing their machinery’s productivity.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Japheth Onyando, stressed the importance of including women in mechanized agriculture, highlighting that mechanized harvesting could reduce post-harvest losses by 20 percent.
The curriculum blends practical and theoretical knowledge, covering tractor maintenance, handling, field operations, and advanced farming techniques.
Kenya’s Mechanization Levels and Challenges:
A World Bank report indicates that Kenya has low mechanization levels, with about three tractors per 1,000 hectares or 26.9 tractors per 100 square kilometers.
Factors such as inadequate training, insufficient investment, and limited local manufacturing contribute to this low mechanization rate.
Comparatively, Africa as a whole lags behind other regions, with less than two tractors per 1,000 hectares of cropland.
While developed countries like India and Brazil report high mechanization rates, African countries face challenges due to the capital-intensive nature of mechanization.
Specialized financial products like long-term credit and leasing, which are crucial for machinery acquisition, remain largely inaccessible to small-holder farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
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The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has noted Africa’s low mechanization levels, with an average of fewer than two tractors per 1,000 hectares.
Increasing mechanization in Africa, especially for small-holder farmers, could be pivotal for agricultural transformation and combating hunger.
Egerton University’s Initiative to Equip Women Farmers with Mechanized Farming Skills
