A delegation from Kitui County on Monday paid a benchmarking visit to Makueni County to study the latter’s progress in digital agricultural extension services, in a move aimed at enhancing technology-driven service delivery to farmers across the region.
The delegation, led by Kitui County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, was received by his Makueni counterpart, CECM Liz Muli, at the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development headquarters. The visit underscored growing recognition among county governments that digital transformation is critical to modernizing agriculture, improving productivity, and building resilience in the face of climate change and market volatility.
Advancing E-Extension Services
At the heart of the engagement was Makueni’s digital extension model, which leverages information and communication technologies to bridge the gap between farmers and extension officers. Through e-extension platforms, farmers are able to access real-time advisory services on crop and livestock management, pest and disease control, weather patterns, and best agronomic practices.
Technical teams from both counties engaged in in-depth discussions on how digital farmer registration systems have streamlined service delivery. By creating comprehensive farmer databases, counties are able to profile farmers based on value chains, production capacity, and geographic location. This data-driven approach enables targeted interventions, efficient allocation of resources, and timely dissemination of advisories.
Officials noted that real-time communication platforms—such as SMS alerts, mobile applications, and digital dashboards—have significantly improved responsiveness. Farmers can now receive immediate guidance during disease outbreaks or adverse weather conditions, reducing losses and safeguarding productivity.
Data-Driven Decision Making and Climate-Smart Agriculture
The benchmarking session also focused on the role of data in informing policy and operational decisions. By collecting and analyzing agricultural data, counties are better positioned to forecast production trends, identify emerging risks, and design evidence-based programs.
Both counties emphasized the importance of integrating climate-smart agriculture into digital platforms. With changing weather patterns increasingly affecting yields, digital advisory tools provide farmers with timely weather forecasts, drought preparedness information, and recommendations on climate-resilient crop varieties and livestock practices. This approach not only enhances food security but also strengthens farmers’ capacity to adapt to environmental shocks.
Strengthening Value Chains and Market Linkages
Discussions further highlighted the role of digital systems in strengthening agricultural value chains. The mango value chain, a key economic driver in both counties, was cited as a practical example of how technology can support farmers from production to market.
Through digital platforms, farmers can receive timely advisory on harvesting schedules, post-harvest handling, and quality standards. This reduces post-harvest losses, which have historically undermined farmer incomes. Additionally, digital market linkages connect producers directly to buyers, improving price transparency and reducing exploitation by middlemen.
Officials observed that such platforms not only improve efficiency but also enhance traceability and compliance with market requirements, positioning farmers to compete in both local and export markets.
Inter-County Collaboration as a Catalyst for Growth
The engagement brought together senior technical and policy teams from both administrations, including Chief Officer for Livestock in Kitui Jonathan Kambi, Chief Officer for Livestock in Makueni Japheth Kiminza, and Chief Officer for Agriculture in Makueni Felistus Mutune. Their participation signaled a shared commitment to collaborative learning and institutional strengthening.
Leaders from both counties acknowledged that inter-county benchmarking provides an opportunity to share best practices, avoid duplication of efforts, and accelerate the adoption of proven innovations. By learning from Makueni’s experience, Kitui aims to refine its own digital extension framework to better serve farmers across its wards.
A Pathway to Modernized Agricultural Systems
The visit reaffirmed that modernization of extension services is no longer optional but essential. As agriculture remains the backbone of local economies in the region, integrating digital technologies into service delivery is seen as a transformative step toward higher productivity, improved resilience, and increased farmer incomes.
The collaboration between Kitui and Makueni sets a precedent for other counties seeking to strengthen agricultural systems through innovation. By embracing digital solutions and fostering inter-county partnerships, devolved units can collectively drive sustainable agricultural growth and secure livelihoods for thousands of farming households.
