Smallholder farmers in Kenya are set to gain access to training in farm machinery and climate-smart agricultural practices under a partnership between Kenya and Thailand aimed at moving practical technologies from the classroom to farms.
Thailand Ambassador to Kenya Jirusaya Birananda said the cooperation would focus on strengthening the skills of farmers and agricultural trainers while introducing equipment that can respond to the needs of smallholder producers.
Speaking on Tuesday during the Thailand-Kenya Agro-Technology Training 2026 at the Kenya School of Agriculture's Nyeri Campus, Birananda said the training was intended to build on existing agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
“I hope that the training today will build further on local farming expertise. I also hope to bring to you, not only an affordable Thai power tiller, but one that is durable and best suits the needs of the smallholder farmers in Nyeri and beyond,” Birananda said.
The ambassador said the programme would include hands-on training on the AgroPro 365 power tiller, supported by Green Africa Group.
She said the partnership should not be viewed simply as an equipment demonstration but as part of wider efforts to strengthen agricultural knowledge and livelihoods.
“This training is not simply about a machine. It is about strengthening a partnership between our peoples which extends beyond today's training programme,” Birananda said.
The training is taking place at the Thailand-Kenya Agro-Technologies Learning Centre, which has operated at the Kenya School of Agriculture since 2022.
The ambassador said the centre had provided a platform for the two countries to exchange agricultural techniques, including organic farming, value addition and Thailand's Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, which promotes moderation, responsible use of resources, resilience and sustainable development.
Kenya School of Agriculture Director Rosemary Nyamu speaking during the Thailand-Kenya Agro-Technology Training 2026 at the Kenya School of Agriculture's Nyeri Campus on September 16, 2026/HANDOUT
Birananda said Green Africa Foundation, a subsidiary of Green Africa Group, had also signed a memorandum of understanding with Thailand's Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University to develop an agriculture curriculum incorporating the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.
She said the planned online programmes could help smallholder farmers who face difficulties travelling away from their homes to pursue training.
Kenya School of Agriculture Director Rosemary Nyamu said the institution's role was to ensure technologies introduced through the partnership could reach farmers and agricultural practitioners beyond Nyeri.
Nyamu said the school trains agricultural extension officers, farmers, young agripreneurs and other practitioners while responding to challenges including changing climate, limited resources and the need to improve production and value addition.
She said the Thailand-Kenya Sustainable Agro-Technological Development Project had strengthened the school's capacity to demonstrate practical and climate-smart agricultural practices.
“Through the establishment of the Thailand–Kenya Agro-Technologies Learning Centre here at Nyeri, we have gained more than a physical facility,” Nyamu said.
“We have established a space where knowledge is demonstrated, technologies are tested, trainers are equipped, and farmers can see practical solutions to the challenges they face.”
Nyamu said trainers had benefited from training in smart soil and water management, climate-resilient crop production, agrobio-products and improved agricultural practices.
She cited tools such as CROPWAT and CLIMWAT, which can be used to understand crop water requirements and improve water management.
Nyamu said the school also planned to build on the partnership in areas including agricultural machinery operation and maintenance, advanced agro-processing, water-efficient agriculture and climate-smart value addition.
Birananda said the Thailand-Kenya Agro-Technology Learning Centre could continue serving as a platform for future cooperation as the two countries deepen their agricultural ties.
