Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Cooperatives - Bomet County.

Bomet Schools Set for Boost as 150 Acres of Iron-Rich Beans Roll Out

The County Government of Bomet, through the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, in partnership with HarvestPlus, today held a sensitization meeting on the establishment of 150 acres of High Iron Bean (HIB) school gardens across the county.

The initiative aims to guide seed distribution to selected schools and align stakeholder roles, with an expected production of approximately 60 metric tonnes of HIB grains to support school feeding programmes.

Director of Nutrition, Caroline Terer, emphasized the importance of iron-rich diets in improving learners’ concentration, health, and academic performance. She noted that the programme is a joint effort between the Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Education, alongside HarvestPlus.

TSC County Director, Mr. Kioko, and Ministry of Education County Director, Mr. Leonard Ngugi, lauded the initiative and called for strong collaboration among stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation. County Director of Agriculture, Mr. David Korir, urged local teams to provide adequate support throughout the project period.

Key discussions focused on the school garden model, identification of beneficiary schools, seed distribution plans, and the way forward.

BOMET EAST – KIPRERES WARD

The County Government of Bomet, through the Department of Agriculture, partnered with national government leaders in issuing coffee and avocado seedlings to farmers in Kipreres Ward an initiative geared towards boosting farm productivity, enhancing incomes, and advancing environmental conservation efforts.

The exercise was led by the Chief Guest, PS Agriculture Dr. Kiprono Rono, alongside PS Parliamentary Affairs Aurelia Chepkirui Rono and PS Environment and Climate Change Dr. Festus Ngeno. This intervention supports sustainable agriculture while contributing to the national goal of restoring tree cover and safeguarding the environment for future generations.

A total of 5,000 coffee seedlings and 2,000 avocado seedlings were distributed to farmers.
Leaders present were ,Paul Rono – PS Agriculture,Aurelia Rono – PS Parliamentary Affairs,Dr. Festus Ngeno – PS Environment and Climate Change,Hon. Isaac Ruto – First Governor,Hon. Philip Korir (Livondo) – MCA Kipreres Ward,Dr. Kibet Sitienei – Chief Officer, Department of Agriculture, Bomet County and the NGAO team.

Donkey Day is an annual event set aside to mark the importance of the donkey the true beast of burden. It is a time to reflect on their welfare, health, and the vital role they play in the community. In Bomet, donkeys remain a key pillar of rural households, supporting day-to-day activities, including the transport of goods to markets.

Today, Farming Systems Kenya, in collaboration with Brooke East Africa and the County Government of Bomet, joined the world in commemorating World Donkey Day at Mulot Comprehensive School, together with community stakeholders.

Theme: “Preserving the African Donkey is Our Collective Responsibility.”

Donkeys are more than working animals,they support families, livelihoods, and communities through transport, agriculture, and income generation.

The event was graced by the Deputy County Commissioner Bomet Thomas Nyoro , alongside the Executive Director of Farming Systems Kenya, Mr. Kenneth Wamuga. Also in attendance were the CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Hon. Ambrose Koech, Chief Officer for Agriculture, Dr. Kibet Sitienei and the County Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Wilson Serem.

The celebrations featured a tree planting exercise, a community procession, and an animal health outreach that included vaccination, deworming, and treatment services. Over 400 donkeys were dewormed and vaccinated against rabies during the exercise, reaffirming the commitment of all partners towards donkey welfare, animal health, and sustainable livelihoods within the community.

Over 1,000 Cattle Dipped as Chebunyo Steps Up the Fight Against Ticks
Ticks are a major threat to livestock health, contributing to nearly 70% of animal diseases. This makes effective tick control not just important, but essential for farmers. Among the available methods, plunge dipping continues to stand out as one of the most affordable and reliable approaches in managing tick infestations.

To achieve the desired results, however, proper maintenance and management of the dip are key. Ensuring the dip wash is well prepared and consistently effective helps safeguard the health and productivity of livestock.

The dip located in Chebunyo Ward continues to serve as a vital resource for farmers in the area, offering accessible and dependable services to the surrounding livestock-keeping communities.

Today’s activity recorded an impressive turnout, with over 1,000 heads of cattle successfully dipped ,demonstrating the community’s commitment to improved livestock management practices.

Among those present were former Chebunyo Ward MCA Hon. Joseah Chepkwony, CECM for Finance CPA Benard Cheruiyot, Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Serem, alongside members of the local community.

Coffee Farming Gets a Boost in Kapsimbiri as Farmers Receive Certified Seedlings

Farmers from the Kapsimbiri Coffee Farmers Group in Merigi Ward, Bomet East Sub-County, have benefited from a capacity-building training and the distribution of certified coffee seedlings undertaken by the County Government through the Department of Agriculture.

The initiative forms part of the county’s ongoing efforts to empower farmers, boost agricultural productivity, and enhance household incomes across Bomet County through the promotion and expansion of coffee farming.

Kipsigis Highlands Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd

Hon. Ambrose Koech, CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, fisheries and Co-operatives , graced a meeting at Chemamul Estate Factory, where he urged delegates to work together towards acquiring the 15% shareholding offered by James Finlays.

He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing engagement with the Kipsigis county leadership through the Department of Co-operatives and Marketing to support the initiative.

The CECM further emphasized the need to empower and actively involve the youth in the cooperative movement as a pathway to sustainable growth and future prosperity.

In attendance were Joseph Ngeno, Co-operative Commissioner; Benard Rop, SCCO Konoin; and the Co-operative Bank Manager, Kericho

Growing a Greener Future: Bomet Leads the Way in Tree Planting Initiative

Today, the Department of Agriculture–ATC section, in collaboration with the National Cereals and Produce Board, One Acre Fund, and farmers’ representatives, conducted a tree planting exercise aimed at promoting environmental conservation.

The event was officially flagged off by the Chief officer Agriculture Dr.Kibet Sitienei alongside the Depot Manager, NCPB Bomet.

Over 200 tree species were established, including cordia, grevillea, markhamia, whistling pine, bottlebrush, and eucalyptus. This initiative aligns with the presidential directive targeting the planting of over 15 billion trees to protect the ecosystem, improve climate resilience, sustain food security, and safeguard livelihoods.

One Acre Fund currently has over 250,000 tree seedlings in a nursery at the institution. These are available to farmers at KSh 5.00 per seedling, with an offer of 30 free seedlings for every purchase, further encouraging widespread tree planting across the county.

Strengthening Food Safety in Bomet: Stakeholders Unite Over Critical Findings

The County Government of Bomet, in collaboration with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, has today held a stakeholder breakfast meeting bringing together key officers from the Departments of Agriculture and Health to discuss food safety findings from recent sampling activities conducted across the county.

KEPHIS has been undertaking analysis of vegetables and cereals to assess compliance with national food safety standards, particularly focusing on pesticide residues and mycotoxin levels. The results shared during the meeting provide critical insights into the safety of food produced and consumed within Bomet County.

Speaking during the engagement, county officials emphasized the importance of strengthening food safety systems to protect public health and enhance market access for agricultural produce. The findings highlight the need for improved farmer awareness on safe pesticide use, adherence to recommended pre-harvest intervals, and better post-harvest handling practices to reduce contamination risks.

Siongiroi Dairy Farmers Co-operative Society, one of the leading dairy cooperatives in the county, held its 24th AGM at Siongiroi Dairy Grounds.

The society plays a crucial role in enhancing the economic wellbeing of farmers by improving their bargaining power, offering training, creating jobs, and promoting food security.

By working together through cooperatives, farmers are better positioned to achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive market.

The society recorded improved performance, attributed to trained management, farmer training and extension services, as well as the provision of animal feeds, supplements, farm inputs, and AI services.

Notably, the retiring management were voted back unopposed in their respective areas.
The society has partnered with the County Government of Bomet, NAVCDP, Agriterra, and HarvestPlus.

Present during the AGM were Bomet County Commissioner of Cooperatives, Joseph Ngeno; Cooperative Auditors, Clement Chirchir and Gilbert Mutai; and Cooperative Officer, Robert Kirui.

New Leadership Installed in Agriculture Department as Hon. Ambrose Koech Steps In

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives has welcomed new leadership following the appointment of Hon. Ambrose Koech, who now takes over the role previously held by CPA Benard Cheruiyot.

This transition comes after a cabinet reshuffle effected by H.E. Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok, EGH, where CPA Benard Cheruiyot was moved to head the Department of Finance, ICT and Economic Planning.

The official handover was carried out in an orderly and well-coordinated manner, demonstrating the county government’s dedication to maintaining smooth operations, stability, and continued delivery of services to the people of Bomet County.