Farmers are seen while being educated on modern farming methods during a visit to a demonstration farm of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) in Nairobi. [Photo: coastweek.com]
Farmers in Trans Nzoia County have been urged to leverage on technology and mechanized agriculture to boost production as well as increase the quality of their produce.
While unveiling and demonstrating the use of a light and cheaper tractor for farmers, stakeholders urged financial institutions to come on board and assist farmers to purchase modern equipment.
The government has been championing for the use of mechanized agriculture to reduce the cost of production as well as improve productivity.
The high cost of equipment has however been a hurdle for many small-scale farmers.
Stakeholders are now urging financial institution to come on board and assist farmers to acquire appropriate modern technology to increase agricultural production and boost food security.
While unveiling a light multipurpose low-cost tractor in Kitale, agriculture sector stakeholders noted that such cheap and efficient invention will help farmers produce more.
The light, cheap and multipurpose tractor uses less than five liters of fuel to plough an acre of land and retails at an average of 1 million shillings.
The tractor can be used in ploughing, can be fixed with pumps to spray, can be used in the shelling, harrowing, ripping, harvesting, as well as weeding among other services.