The County Government of Nakuru in partnership with Hello Tractor has launched a mobile farmer school.

The farmer school will be used as a training facility to help farmers understand the benefits of mechanization in food production.

The Hello Tractor is an agricultural technology company that also uses a mobile platform to help tractor owners manage their equipment.

The technology allows farmers to hail the machines through an app that also monitors the vehicles’ movements and transmits usage information such as fuel levels.

The Hello Tractors technology is currently being tested on around 400 tractors in both Kenya and Ghana.

The company also helps smallscale farmers connect with the tractor owners through a digital platform.

Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Dr Immaculate Maina said the technology would increase efficiency.

“The technology will also save time and improved the quality of produce,” she said during the launch at KARLO Njoro.

The Ministre added that smallholder farmers will be offered access to mechanized farming at a convenient and affordable cost.

She encouraged tractor owners to download the app and register to support farm mechanization services.

Hello Tractor CEO and Founder Mr Jehiel Oliver said the partnership will also ensure farmers get affordable and timely tractor services.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 60 per cent of crops are ploughed by hand, which in turn impacts the productivity of their farms and the eventual crop yield.

The Sh20 million modern livestock market at Banita in Soin, Rongai sub-County is ready for an official opening in the coming days.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui laid the foundation stone on February 27, 2019.

Once complete, the facility will have an office block, pavilion, animal paddocks, washrooms and sheds.

Nakuru County Trade minister Raymond Komen said the market is in the last phase of completion and will boost livestock farming and trade in the region.

The inaugural Banita Easter Goat Auction, conducted in April 2018, fetched farmers Sh6 million in a record 37 minutes.

A mature goat or sheep was retailing at Sh10,000, up from Sh4,000 in other market days and elsewhere.

The 2019 auction was cancelled due to an outbreak of anthrax and foot and mouth diseases in neighbouring counties.

The 2020 auction was cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic threat but was reopened on Saturday ahead of the commissioning.

More than 20,000 tilapia fingerlings were introduced in several dams in Njoro sub-county over the weekend in a partnership between the county and national government.

The County Government of Nakuru has embarked on a program to stock all permanent water bodies within the region with zone-specific fingerlings.

Eleven dams in Njoro, Molo, Gilgil, Subukia, Rongai, Kuresoi North and Kuresoi South sub-counties will be restocked with 10,000 fingerlings each.

Mugumo/Naishi dam, Belbur and Gathangi in Lare and Njoro wards are the latest beneficiaries. Mugumo/Naishi and Gathangi dams earlier in the year received 3,000 fingerlings each.

The Tilapia species can weigh up to 800 grams and lays after every 21 days ultimately increasing fish population.

The fish projects are being managed by local women and youth groups as a way of improving communities’ economic and nutritional status.

Njoro sub-County Fisheries Officer Mr Erick Kiprop urged committee members to help protect the breeding areas.

“We encourage continuous monitoring and evaluation of the dams for safety and productivity,” he advised.