By: Emily Mikwa
The County Government of Kisumu, through the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Blue Economy, today held crucial bilateral talks with representatives from North Carolina State University (NCSU), USA, to forge a partnership aimed at strengthening agricultural extension service provision in the county.
The courtesy call marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration designed to benefit Kisumu’s farming community. The primary goal of the collaboration is to help local farmers upgrade from subsistence to commercial farming, thereby increasing both their income and improving livelihoods.
According to Professor Jose Cisneros, who led the NCSU team, the objective of the visit is to establish a functional, sustainable, and effective extension system tailored for the benefit of Kisumu farmers.
Hon. Kenneth Onyango welcomed the gesture, saying that the journey started today will be instrumental in helping the people of Kisumu disentangle themselves from the yoke of food insecurity by adopting best practices in agriculture.
To formalize the partnership, a technical committee was immediately formed to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for official signing by both parties.
The visiting team from North Carolina State University included Professor Jose Cisneros, Professor Peter Ojiambo, and Liz Driscoll, extension expertise specialists.
The Kisumu County department of agriculture team that received the guests was led by the CECM (County Executive Committee Member), Hon. Kenneth Onyango. He was joined by Eng. Daniel Okia (Chief Officer), and Directors: Eng. Walter Odum (CDAI), Mr. Charles Kakuku (CDLP), Susan Adhiambo (CDF), and Erick Ogadho (VCDO).
