Nairobi: Kenya is partnering with the Royal Government of Thailand in promoting the uptake of simple mechanised farming practices to enhance food production in the country. Through the cooperation, which is being overseen by the Kenya School of Government and Thai International Cooperation Agency (TICA), farmers are being trained on the use of a Farming Utility Vehicle commonly referred to as a ‘walking tractor.’
According to Kenya News Agency, the 12.5 horsepower single-stroke diesel engine equipment currently in operation in 17 other African countries is further expected to boost employment among the youth. The unique long-handled two-wheel tractor was first developed in the late 1950s by late Thai King M.R. Debriddhi Devakul. Shannon Lee Ferry, an advisor from the Federation of Thai Industries, emphasized the economic impact, stating that the walking tractor provides jobs, unlike larger tractors that could eliminate 20 to 30 jobs.
Ferry highlighted that this mechanisation offers an inexpensive way to ear
n money for young people, reducing the need to migrate to cities for employment. He noted that the walking tractor has been a game changer in many developing countries, including Thailand, where it helped boost the nation’s rice exports. The tractor’s versatility extends beyond tillage to activities like irrigation water fetching and transport.
Kenya School of Agriculture Deputy Director Pauline Njagi expressed the institution’s commitment to innovative projects with the Thai Government aimed at improving local food production. Community field days are planned to train locals in farming and animal husbandry. Njagi stressed the need for income-generating programmes to address youth unemployment, particularly in densely populated areas facing land fragmentation.
Eng. Liban Bullo, Head of Research and Consultant at the institution, mentioned ongoing training to enhance farming techniques across Kenya’s agricultural zones. The training includes using the utility vehicle, which can perform multiple operations, p
otentially transforming food production and increasing acreage.
The bilateral agreement between Kenya and Thailand, established last year, facilitates knowledge transfer in modern agriculture technologies. Thai Ambassador to Kenya, Sasirit Tangulrat, expressed optimism about the partnership’s role in addressing Kenya’s food crisis. The Thai Government plans to send crop scientists to train Kenyan agriculture students, ensuring the programme’s sustainability and skill dissemination.
Ms. Tangulrat emphasized the importance of the initiative in addressing food security and climate change challenges, stating that sharing Thailand’s farming experiences would benefit Kenyan farmers and contribute to long-term agricultural development.