Chinese experts train farmers on modern farming methods

More than 90 farmers from Siaya County have benefited from a training programme organised by the Confucius Institute at Egerton University. Chinese agricultural experts trained the farmers on modern and efficient farming methods. The Confucius Institute at Egerton has so far had 19 training programmes in various counties in the recent past and has trained more than 600 local farmers and agriculture extension officers.

China is keen on deepening agricultural cooperation with Africa through skills, funds and technology to help the continent forestall food insecurity. It has started demonstrations of agriculture technology suited for small-scale farmers who form the bulk of food producers in sub-Saharan Africa.

The intention is to help transfer small scale agriculture technology into Africa and help farmers increase their yields by better use of fertilisers, pesticides and other better farming practices.

The Chinese government has already turned to take more efficient and sustainable actions to strengthen the ties with Kenya in the agricultural field. Training programmes and technology transfer will now play an important role in China-Kenya agricultural cooperation. The best agricultural technologies for transfer from China to Africa are water and soil related technologies.

Last year, a group of dry-land agricultural scientists from Lanzhou University paid a series of visits to Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute and the University of Nairobi to find ways of working together to enhance food security in Kenya.

China has established four Confucius Institutes in Kenya at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Egerton University and Moi University. Confucius institutes teach and expose Chinese language and culture.