The Trans Nzoia government will spend more than Sh500 million on agricultural programmes to supporting
small-scale farmers during the 2026/27 financial year.
The county government has allocated the funds to the department of agriculture, irrigation, livestock and fisheries.
Governor George Natembeya said the investment is intended to help farmers increase food production. Trans Nzoia is regarded as one of Kenya's food baskets.
"Majority of our farmers are small scale and as a county we always support them to access farm inputs and other activities geared at helping them produce adequate food," Natembeya said.
Under the proposed budget, Sh313 million has been allocated to the department of agriculture and irrigation.
The funds will support the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme (NAVCDP) counterpart funding, crop pest control, distribution of fruit tree seedlings, certified crop seeds and the establishment of a database system.
The department has also earmarked Sh8 million for the supply of fertiliser and maize seeds, chicken feeds for vulnerable women and youth groups, and the purchase of a hatchery generator for women and youth groups in Kiminini subcounty.
Natembeya's administration has also allocated Sh16.5 million for avocado seedlings, supply of acaricides and distribution of chicks.
The beneficiaries include groups in Kimoson, Chebarus, Ngonyek, Kiplongon, Mayomtich, Kapkures, Milimani, Kiptoror, Tuigoin, Kiam Kituch Women Group, Logetyo Gaa Women Group, Sosiot Kolongai Women Group and Surungai Women Group in Cherangany subcounty.
In Saboti subcounty, Sh6 million has been set aside for the supply of acaricides in Nasianda, Chepkuy, Lungai, Sango and Makele areas.
The county has also proposed funding for the rehabilitation of cattle dips in Kapretwo and Sokwo.
An additional Sh132,374,200 has been allocated to livestock and fisheries programmes.
The funding will support the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project (KeLCoP), IFAD programmes, NAVCDP counterpart funding, KeLCoP counterpart funding, as well as livestock disease and pest control initiatives.
Another Sh13.6 million has been earmarked for poultry production, construction of a hatchery, rehabilitation of cattle dips, promotion of hay and fodder production, and aquaculture development in Kibagenge.
The county government said the allocated funds will be used to subsidise farm inputs for small-scale farmers, who form the backbone of the farming community in the region.
