By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 29 July 2026 - Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o has unveiled an ambitious agricultural vision that could redefine farming in western Kenya, with the County Government of Kisumu preparing to hand over the newly completed Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre to the National Government for management under the Kenya School of Agriculture.
The move signals a strategic shift from merely investing in infrastructure to building a regional powerhouse for agricultural innovation, skills development and commercial farming. County leaders believe the institution will become a catalyst for food security, enterprise growth and employment across the Lake Region.
Speaking during the 2026 Kisumu ASK Show, Governor Nyong'o said the facility had been established to bridge the gap between research and practical farming by equipping farmers, extension officers and young agripreneurs with modern agricultural knowledge.
He said the centre would focus on livestock improvement, farmer education, animal health, breeding technologies and value addition, enabling farmers to produce more while earning higher incomes.
"We believe this institution will serve not only Kisumu but the wider Lake Region as a centre for training farmers, extension officers and young agripreneurs in modern agricultural practices that enhance food security," Nyong'o said.
The governor noted that sustainable agricultural transformation depends on empowering producers with knowledge and innovation, arguing that investments in training institutions have a far greater long-term impact than short-term interventions.
He linked the initiative to the county's broader agricultural strategy, highlighting the ongoing development of the Kisumu Dairy Development Centre, which is expected to strengthen breeding services, improve animal health, enhance farmer training and expand the dairy value chain.
According to Nyong'o, increased productivity in the livestock sector will directly translate into higher household incomes and stronger rural economies.
The governor also challenged farmers to embrace climate-smart agriculture, saying the future of food production lies in adopting improved seed varieties, efficient irrigation technologies, mechanisatison, soil conservation, renewable energy, superior livestock breeds and modern extension services.
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He stressed that protecting forests, wetlands and water resources remains fundamental to sustainable agricultural growth, warning that environmental conservation and economic prosperity are inseparable.
Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Blue Economy Ken Onyango threw his weight behind the decision to transfer the facility to the National Government, describing it as a bold investment that will accelerate economic transformation in the region.
Onyango said placing the institution under the Kenya School of Agriculture would elevate its national profile while attracting students, researchers, investors and agribusiness players into Kisumu.
"This is a great idea that will unlock numerous employment opportunities while stimulating trade among the business community in Kisumu County. The institution will create demand for accommodation, transport, food supplies, agricultural inputs and many other services that will benefit local enterprises," he said.
He added that beyond producing skilled farmers, the training centre is expected to nurture agribusiness entrepreneurs capable of driving value addition, processing and agricultural commercialization, making Kisumu a key hub for modern agriculture.
The planned handover comes as counties increasingly seek partnerships with the National Government to maximise the impact of strategic investments. For Kisumu, the Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre is emerging not just as another public project, but as a potential engine for jobs, innovation and inclusive economic growth.
If successfully operationalised, the institution could position the county at the forefront of agricultural training in Kenya while giving thousands of farmers the skills needed to compete in an increasingly knowledge-driven agricultural economy.