The shifting climate patterns continue to threaten food production across Kenya, forcing farmers to rethink how they grow food and sustain livelihood. Against this backdrop, young farmers in Kakamega County are turning to innovative, climate-smart approaches to build resilience and secure a sustainable agriculture future.

This commitment was on full display during the Kakamega Climate Smart Agriculture Farmers Expo and Field day. Themed “Cultivating Climate Smart Practices for Future Foods”, the Expo brought together farmers, youth groups, agribusinesses, and development partners across 11 sub-counties to showcase technologies and practices that promote sustainable farming.

The field day, hosted by a young aspiring farmer Audrey Habiba focused on climate-smart technologies such as solar-powered irrigation, organic fertilizers, and modern pest control solutions. Audrey’s story as a young agripreneur transforming her family’s land into a model of sustainable farming inspired many in attendance and underscored the growing role of youth in driving agricultural innovation.

The key note speaker, Ms. Jackline Masicha who is the Kakamega County Executive Committee member for Youth, Sports, Gender and Culture lauded young farmers for embracing agribusiness, noting that over 10,000 youth in the county are now engaged in various agricultural ventures. She emphasized the county governments’ continued investment in value addition to help farmers maximize their earnings and urged parents to support youth by granting them access to land.

The Expo also served as a learning platform where exhibitors demonstrated solutions that can help smallholder farmers adapt to climate shocks. Key partners included PELUM Kenya (Participatory Ecological Land Use Management), Practical Action, and Several Private sector stakeholders.

PELUM Kenya which promotes agroecological and climate-resilient farming, was among the organizations exhibiting at the event. Through its programs and mentorship initiatives, PELUM continues to support farmers and youth to adopt eco-friendly, low-input farming methods that improve soil fertility and enhance food security.

As part of its Women Empowerment for Resilience (WE4R) and Youth in Agroecology and Business Learning Track Africa programs (YALTA), PELUM has been training women and youth across Kenya on sustainable agriculture practices and also strengthening the capacity of women to be change agents and advocates for women’s rights, resource access, and representation in rural livelihoods and land matters across Africa.

Farmers attending the Expo expressed optimism that the knowledge and partnership forms would help strengthen local food systems. Many highlighted that integrating renewable energy and organic inputs into agriculture not only boosts productivity but also reduces costs and protects the environment

The Expo’s message was clear, that the path to food security and climate resilience begins with innovation at the grassroots. Through collaboration between county governments, private sector actors, and networks like PELUM Kenya, young farmers are taking the lead in building a sustainable and productive agricultural sector.