Winners of the 2016 National Farmers Awards announced

The winners of the 2016 National Farmers Awards have been announced with this year’s list showing a growing interest in innovation, embracing of best practices and involvement of more women and youth in sustainable farming.

The award scheme, an initiative of Elgon Kenya, national and county government, has grown in stature, number of participants and categories since it was started in 2013, becoming an important event in the farming calendar.

According to Nelson Maina, the head of communication at Elgon Kenya, this year’s event attracted the highest number of participants in the event’s calendar with those who took part being spread across the country. “We are glad the award scheme is transforming agriculture through mentorship, and farmers learning from each other, ultimately steering the country into food sufficiency. It is what we envisioned the award to achieve,” Mr. Maina said. The award has also attracted a pool of sponsors top among them BASF.

The winners will be officially awarded at a gala dinner on November 4 2016 at the Laico Regency Hotel.

Below is the list of the winners and the counties they come from.

Small scale farm gearing to commercialization

Ngarama Farm                        Nakuru

Dim Com Eden Villa Farm         Laikipia

Nembure Farm                        Embu

 Small Scale farms fully commercialized

Miare Dairy Farm                    Nairobi

Prof. Charles C. Ngugi              Kirinyaga

Kebeneti Farm                         Kericho

 Large scale fully commercialized

Maakiou Estate                       Nairobi

Macheo Farm Ltd                    Transnzoi

Keiyian Farmers                      Narok

Small scale agro-input dealers

Munyambu Farmers Pride       Bungoma

Njoro animal Feeds                 Nakuru

K.Sunrise Farm Supplies         Laikipia

Large scale agro-input dealers

Enochem  Agrovet                  Kisii

Bungoma Chemist                  Bungoma

Nyarkadera Agrovet               Migori

Women in Agriculture

DAIPO Farm                          Kirinyaga

Ruth Muthoni Ikaru                Muranga

Beatrice Adala Omwela          Vihiga

Youth in Agriculture

Gilbert Kipchirchir Lagat        Uasin Gishu

Jonah Kipkporos Sigei            Nandi

Stanley Kipkorir Tonui           Kericho 

Physically challenged persons in Agriculture

Michael Ochieng Laro              Kisumu

Consolata Ngugi                     Nyeri