Kisumu Unveils Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre: A New Dawn for Farming

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 6 April 2026 - In a moment of celebration and historic significance, Kisumu County Governor, Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, officially commissioned the Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre in Seme Sub-County, heralding a transformative era for agriculture in the region.

Addressing a gathering of county officials, local leaders, development partners, and the people of Pap Konam, Prof. Nyong’o described the day as “a moment of pride and shared accomplishment,” adding that the centre was “not merely a set of buildings, but the realisation of a vision nurtured by this community with patience, sacrifice, and steadfast commitment.”

The Governor paid tribute to the local community, particularly Jokadinga—Pap Konam ka and expressed gratitude to the Department of Agriculture, County Assembly, development partners, and technical teams whose dedication had brought the project to fruition. “Your confidence in this initiative, and your resolve to see it through from conception to completion, have been the very foundation upon which this institution now stands,” he remarked.

Prof. Nyong’o emphasised the centre’s critical role in addressing longstanding challenges in Kisumu’s agricultural sector. With agriculture accounting for approximately sixteen per cent of the county’s gross income and sustaining the livelihoods of half of its households, he noted that the sector faces formidable obstacles, including climate change, pests, declining productivity, and limited youth participation. “This centre is our answer,” he declared, underscoring its mandate to transform agriculture from subsistence practice into a modern, commercially viable, and climate-resilient enterprise.

The Governor outlined the centre’s strategic objectives, envisioning it as a hub for training extension officers, promoting youth agripreneurship, conducting research, and hosting practical farmer field schools. Development of the facility commenced in the 2021–2022 financial year, with the County Government investing approximately Sh87 million, across three structured phases. Prof. Nyong’o assured stakeholders that further work would continue to equip the centre, expand accommodation, laboratories, and learning facilities, and secure an additional thirty acres for future growth.

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Reflecting on the wider implications, Prof. Nyong’o said, “Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre is your institution. I urge the people of Seme Sub-County to take pride in it, safeguard it, and support its growth so that it may serve generations to come.” He further invited collaboration from development partners, the private sector, and research institutions, stressing that all partnerships would align with the county’s broader development priorities.

The Governor also highlighted plans to explore a partnership with the Kenya School of Agriculture, integrating the centre as a constituent college to strengthen both academic and practical training. “Our youth must be empowered to engage confidently in agriculture,” he asserted, emphasising that the sustainability of food systems in Kisumu—and indeed Kenya—depends on their active participation.

With the ribbon officially cut, the Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre now stands as a beacon of innovation, community-driven development, and agricultural excellence, signalling a new chapter in Kisumu County’s journey towards food security, youth empowerment, and climate-smart agriculture.