MIGORI: For years, traditional farming across Kenya’s Western region has faced a quiet crisis.
Unpredictable weather patterns, rising input costs, and shifting market dynamics have left many smallholders struggling to yield enough to secure their households, let alone turn a profit.
Yet on the grounds of Rongo Sub-County, a different narrative is taking root, one driven by modern technology, youth engagement, and climate resilience.
At the second annual Rongo Sub-County Agricultural Exhibition, a bustling atmosphere signaled a clear paradigm shift.
Bringing together over 100 exhibitors across the crop, livestock, fisheries, mechanization, and digital agriculture sectors, the event served as a vibrant marketplace of ideas aimed at turning local agriculture into a thriving, modern business.
Under the theme “Transforming Agriculture through Innovation, Climate-Smart Technology and Sustainable Value Chains for Enhanced Food Security and Prosperity,” the exhibition highlighted a strategic drive to modernize farming from the ground up.
To bridge the gap between technical expertise and the farmer in the field, the county administration has significantly boosted its human capital over the past three and a half years by:
Recruiting nearly 65 agricultural extension officers who now work alongside a network of more than 200 trained agripreneurs.
Equipping every ward in the sub-county with a dedicated motorcycle, enabling extension officers to navigate rural terrain easily and deliver timely advice.
Beyond staff deployment, the county is enhancing practical learning and infrastructure that is at Miyare Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) has expanded its facilities to feature practical demonstration enterprises, including modern dairy production, commercial fish farming setups, and climate-resilient goat rearing, while simultaneously running training programs for young agripreneurs.
The local government is actively engaging the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to establish an additional fertilizer depot in the region, ensuring subsidized inputs remain within reach for everyday farmers.
Navigating climate realities through collaboration
The necessity of this transformation is largely dictated by environmental demands.
Speaking at the expo, Hamisi Williams, Assistant County Representative for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasized that local producers are operating under unprecedented pressures.
“Climate change, soaring production overheads, rapid population growth, and evolving market preferences mean that traditional, unadapted farming is no longer viable.”
To survive and thrive, Williams stressed the need for a united front combining innovation, government support, and international expertise. FAO reaffirmed its commitment to walking alongside local government entities, researchers, and private sector players to build climate resilience and promote inclusive rural development.
Youth joining agriculture
Perhaps the most significant victory of the exhibition was its ability to alter mindsets. Historically, rural youth have viewed agriculture as backbreaking labor of last resort rather than a profitable enterprise. Modern, climate-smart technologies showcased at the expo are fast dismantling that stereotype.
For Ann Atieno, a young resident of Rongo town, walking through the exhibition gates proved to be a turning point, “Based on what I have seen here today, and the knowledge I have received from different exhibitors, especially in smart farming, I plan to venture into horticulture to earn a decent living and improve my economic conditions.”
Atieno’s shift in perspective captures the broader objective of the annual expo: demystifying modern agriculture and showing the next generation that with the right tools, value addition, and digital insights, farming is a viable path to prosperity.
Looking ahead
As the dust settles on this year’s showcase, the impact of the Rongo Sub-County Agricultural Exhibition extends far beyond the display booths.
By fostering direct connections between smallholder farmers, tech innovators, finance providers, and policymakers, Migori County is systematically building a resilient ecosystem.
Through climate-smart innovations, accessible extension services, and renewed youth participation, the region is moving closer to securing its food future, one harvest at a time.
