- The Kowuor Central Village Youth Group in Ahero ward were among 85 applicants who took part in the John Deere innovation competition.
- The applicants had to submit a business plan highlighting how they will use the tractor to run a mechanised business.
A youth group in Nyando subcounty has been awarded a brand new John Deere 5050D tractor after winning an innovation competition.
The competition aimed at promoting agricultural mechanisation.
The Kowuor Central Village Youth Group in Ahero ward were among 85 applicants who took part in the John Deere innovation competition.
The competition was sponsored through a joint collaboration of the American Agricultural Machinery manufacturer John Deere, its dealer Mascor Kenya and Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.
Applicants had to submit a business plan highlighting how they will use the tractor to run a mechanised business.
The requirements for the competition were that the groups must be in Kenya and have been involved in agriculture for at least three years.
John Deere's managing director for Africa and Middle East Jaco Beyers said the aim of the company is to bring mechanisation services closer to farmers in Kenya, who cannot afford to purchase the machines.
He said the machines will help them render the services and increase their production.
Beyers spoke on Thursday while issuing the tractor to the winners.
He said mechanisation presents the youth with various opportunities in the agricultural sector.
The official further challenged the farmers to adapt new technologies saying a number of farmers were still using traditional methods of farming, which can lead to low yield.
"You can expand and grow, it's time to adopt new technologies. There are more opportunities besides increasing yields. You can also create jobs," he told the farmers.
Elius Ojwang said the tractor will go along way in helping the group transform their business by increasing their capacity to serve more farmers at the same time.
Kisumu Agriculture executive Gilchrist Okuom said mechanisation plays a critical role in increasing efficiency and productivity in crop production.
He said the competition aims to bring back the youth to agriculture.
Okuom said over the years the youth have been great consumers with very little contribution in the field work.
"This initiative is a milestone to us as a county government in our effort to avail mechanisation services to all farmers," he said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)