Kajiado County Agricultural Mechanization Services Policy, 2019

Abstract

Agricultural sector is important in contributing to food security, production of agro-based raw materials, employment creation, income generation and earning of foreign exchange. The major factors that contribute to crops, livestock and fisheries growth and development include: suitable land, availability of moisture, favorable climatic conditions, availability of quality farm inputs and appropriate mechanization, reliable labour and functioning markets. Agricultural mechanization is a key input in the agricultural sector production value chain. The main types of mechanization in the County include the use of human, animal-drawn and motorized machinery, implements and equipment. Development and promotion of these have been carried out by the Government in collaboration with the private sector. In line with the Kenya Vision 2030 agricultural mechanization is expected to play a critical role in putting more land into agricultural production. The County has not operated with a clearly defined agricultural mechanization policy. This, together with the existing legislation framework has not sufficiently addressed agricultural mechanization challenges leading to low level of agricultural mechanization. The consequences have been, low agricultural production and under-utilization of agricultural land and environmental degradation