GEAP Hands Over Three Aggregation Centres to Strengthen Farmer-Led Market Systems in Trans Nzoia County

MESPT CEO Rebecca Amukhoye and Hon. Phanice Khatundi officially handover Motosiet Avocado Aggregation Center keys to the chairman

The Green Employment in Agriculture Programme (GEAP) marked a significant milestone in its journey of strengthening sustainable agricultural value chains by officially handing over three aggregation centres to communities and the County Government of Trans Nzoia. The facilities include the Motosiet Avocado Aggregation Centre in Cherangany, the Kwanza Poultry Aggregation Centre, and the Ushindi Poultry Aggregation Centre.

The handover ceremony was attended by Hon. Phanice Khatundi, CECM for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries, county government officials, MESPT Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Amukhoye, GEAP Programme Manager Doreen Kinoti, cooperative leaders, farmers, and community members. The aggregation centres were established to strengthen farmer organizations, improve access to structured markets, enhance value addition, and create sustainable income opportunities for smallholder farmers and youth. The facilities are expected to serve as hubs for aggregation, capacity building, technology transfer, and collective marketing, enabling farmers to access better prices and more reliable markets.

Speaking during the events, Hon. Khatundi underscored the transformative power of agriculture in improving livelihoods, particularly for young people. She encouraged youth to embrace the opportunities available within the sector, noting that innovative technologies introduced through the programme, such as Azolla production, make it possible to engage in profitable agribusiness even with limited land.

At Motosiet Avocado Marketing Cooperative, members celebrated the handover of what is now the first avocado aggregation centre in Cherangany. Cooperative leaders reflected on the group’s humble beginnings as a community seedling nursery and its growth into a structured avocado marketing cooperative. They described the GEAP programme as transformative in strengthening the cooperative and creating market opportunities for local farmers.

GEAP Programme Manager Doreen Kinoti challenged farmers to fully utilize the facilities and sustain the gains made through the programme.

“The sustainability of this aggregation centre lies in bringing enough avocados to the market. In the next five years, we hope to return and find that you have grown even further,” she said.

At the Kwanza Poultry Aggregation Centre, speakers highlighted the centre’s role as a community resource for farmer training, capacity building, and the promotion of climate-smart technologies such as Black Soldier Fly (BSF) and Azolla production. Doreen Kinoti emphasized that the success of the facility would depend on farmers maintaining consistent poultry production and marketing through the cooperative.

MESPT CEO Rebecca Amukhoye commended the unity demonstrated by farmers across Trans Nzoia, noting that collective action had been instrumental in achieving the programme’s results.

“It is because of your unity that we have managed to do so much in this county. I encourage you to develop branded, value-added products through your cooperatives and continue welcoming new partners to support your growth,” she said.

At Ushindi Poultry Cooperative, leaders highlighted the progress already achieved, with over 1,000 chickens currently moving through the aggregation process. The cooperative outlined plans to continue expanding production and strengthening market linkages to ensure long-term sustainability. The Director of Cooperatives for Trans Nzoia County encouraged community members to embrace cooperative models as vehicles for economic transformation.

“Let us embrace cooperatives so that we can improve our lives and create prosperity for our communities. Thank you for choosing to grow with Trans Nzoia,” he said.

Closing the event, Rebecca Amukhoye emphasized the central role of farmer institutions in driving Kenya’s agricultural transformation.

“The future of economic growth in our country lies in strong farmer institutions. Through cooperatives, farmers can structure value chains, improve efficiency, create value, and build resilient businesses that will continue to grow long after programmes like GEAP have ended.”

The handover of the three aggregation centres represents an important legacy of the GEAP programme, leaving behind community-owned infrastructure and strengthened farmer organizations that will continue driving inclusive agricultural growth, employment creation, and market competitiveness in Trans Nzoia County for years to come.