Syngenta trains stockists and lead famers on agronomical practices

By Moses Ndungu

Syngenta Kenya on March 27, 2015 trained 20 stockists and lead farmers at Coconut Hotel in Wiyumiririe, Laikipia East Sub County. The training was held to discuss the role of stockists and lead farmers in realizing farming as a business. The training was also attended by Emily Kioko, Laikipia West Sub County Agriculture officer and Bob Aston from Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN).

The training was also held to discuss issues that included; role of stockists in sharing information on agriculture related activities, food insecurity, pests and diseases challenges, customer care services, improving family income and to form a network group.

James Kabuu from Syngenta addressing participants

Speaking during the training, Mr. Daniel Njoroge from Syngenta Kenya noted that stockists play an important role in the agriculture sector. He said that stockists need to be constantly updated about what they store in their agro-vets to ensure that farmers receive quality services and that they are appropriately advised on agricultural agronomics.

“Stockists are and are still the first level of contact by farmers. Most of the times you are the ones who always influence the usage of products hence it is important that you have enough knowledge about each product in your agro-vet,” said Mr. Njoroge.

He said that stockists need to understand pests and diseases by knowing how they feed, when they feed, their growth stage, breeding cycle, life cycle and blood circulation. He added that they also need to learn about correct dosage of each product that they stock and time for their application.

He informed the stockists that they should advice farmers on basic pillars for crop production. These included; understanding of soil health, soil moisture, nutrition, crop protection, marketing and value chain and seeds and varieties.

Participants following proceedings during the training

“Looking at pressure effects on population and food demands indicates that more food is needed to feed the growing population. Stockists will play a critical role in ensuring that food production in the country increases,” said Mr. Njoroge.

He said that Syngenta evaluation report that was carried out recently indicated that 5-6 million people in Kenya are small scale farmers and most of them are scattered in rural areas which are not easy to access.

Mrs. Emily Kioko, Laikipia West Sub County Agriculture officer informed the stockists and lead farmers that the Agricultural Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP) is currently implementing a maize concept note that seeks to formalize, legalize and train maize value chain groups on post harvest management in Laikipia County.
 She informed the lead farmers and stockists that ASDSP wants them to form one value chain group in the area so that they can also benefit during trainings on post harvest management.