(Nairobi) – Kenya is partnering with the Royal Government of Thailand to introduce mechanized farming practices in the country. The collaboration, led by the Kenya School of Government and Thailand’s International Cooperation Agency (TICA), aims to improve food production and create employment opportunities, especially for the youth.
Through this partnership, Kenyan farmers are being trained in the use of the Farming Utility Vehicle (FUV), also known as the “walking tractor.” This machine, a two-wheeled, long-handled tractor, was first developed in Thailand in the late 1950s. It is powered by a 12.5-horsepower single-stroke diesel engine and is already in use in 17 African countries. The FUV is designed for various agricultural tasks, including land preparation, water pumping for irrigation, and transportation of farm produce.
Shannon Lee Ferry, an advisor from the Federation of Thai Industries, has been training farmers on the use of this equipment. He emphasized the economic benefits of using the walking tractor, noting that it creates more jobs compared to larger tractors. While large tractors may reduce the number of jobs, the walking tractor provides employment for several individuals, which helps boost the local economy. “If you provide a big tractor, you eliminate 20 to 30 jobs. When you inspire the people and give them jobs, you boost the economy,” Ferry explained.
The Kenya School of Agriculture, which has been closely involved in the initiative, aims to support local food production through affordable farming mechanisms. Deputy Director Pauline Njagi highlighted the importance of training youth in these farming methods, noting that many young people in Kenya are struggling to find work in urban areas. By adopting the FUV, they can generate income through land preparation and other agricultural tasks.
The FUV is not only useful for land preparation but can also assist in water irrigation, reducing the labor needed for water fetching. Additionally, its simple design makes it easy to repair, meaning that basic mechanics can handle repairs without needing advanced technical skills.
The collaboration with Thailand is part of a broader effort to introduce innovative farming solutions that address challenges like land fragmentation and unemployment. In densely populated regions like Central Kenya, where land sizes are small, mechanized farming equipment like the FUV can help increase productivity on limited land.
Eng. Liban Bullo, Head of Research and Consultant at the Kenya School of Agriculture, said the institution is working with various stakeholders to find progressive solutions for farmers across the country’s eight agricultural zones. He pointed out that the FUV, which comes with a variety of attachments like a trailer, tiller, and plough, will be a game changer for food production. “This vehicle will increase the acreage under cultivation and support the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda,” he said.
The Kenya-Thailand partnership also includes the training of Kenyan scientists in modern agricultural techniques. In July 2023, the two countries signed a three-year bilateral agreement to strengthen cooperation in agriculture. Under this agreement, Thai experts will train Kenyan agriculture students on technologies that can improve crop and animal production. Thai Ambassador to Kenya, Sasirit Tangulrat, expressed optimism that the collaboration would help Kenya tackle food security challenges, particularly in light of the country’s recurring droughts.
The Thai government has already sent experts to Kenya to share best practices in farming, including methods to improve soil health, water management, and crop production. These initiatives are seen as crucial in addressing the country’s food crisis, which has been exacerbated by successive seasons of poor rainfall.