Experts in Laikipia are tapping into small scale farmers’ vast but unexploited potential to address food insecurity. They want to boost the local small-holders’ capacity amid fears the county is facing hunger due to crop failure.

County Crops Officer Samuel Wagura raised the red flag last week when he revealed the situation was grim and that farmer education was necessary, given that over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture had proved counterproductive over the years. “ Laikipia is food insecure, with 95 per cent of people living in the south depending on the market to buy food this year. In the west, 50 per cent entirely depend on the market while in the remaining regions, up to 70 per cent are vulnerable,” Mr Wagura said.

Speaking during celebrations marking the Word Food Day at Dhigithu Ward in Laikipia East last Thursday, Wagura said embracing new technologies is the way to go, saying conservation agriculture requires that farmers diversify production to minimise risks. However, he said, in most parts of the arid and semi-arid area, diversification remains a mirage due to poverty and limited awareness.

Alive to this challenge, the county government has set aside Sh5 million to sensitise farmers on diversification. “This will enable farmers engage in horticulture since crops like cabbages and tomatoes mature quickly and help in shielding residents against hunger,” County Executive in charge of Agriculture Duncan Mwariri recently said.

But to turn the tide, experts and various organisations have teamed up to build the capacity of rural farmers through information sharing and value-addition.

They hope small scale farming, at the family level, can be harnessed to eradicate hunger and at the same time, preserve natural resources. Laikipia East Sub County Administrator Alex Mwangi attributes the situation to lack of proper forecasting on weather patterns, saying farmers should adopt new farming technologies like water harvesting for irrigation. He, however, was concerned about insufficient agricultural extension services.

Against the backdrop of diminishing productivity, unpredictable weather and lack of insurance to cover losses, the stakeholders are now training farmers on information sharing, records keeping, planning and strategic search for markets.

Groups involved in the sensitisation programme, some working under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), say access to farming information, markets and credit awareness are key to stemming food insecurity.

Experts emphasise livestock diversification, destocking before onset of drought, construction of watering points, improved grazing and planting of early maturing crops as important areas to focus on for food security. The Arid Lands Information Network (Alin) and the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (Koan) are among those leading efforts to facilitate the strengthening of capacity among small-holder producers. Koan Production and Training Adviser Teresa Ndirangu said the network is using training institutions, churches, documentaries, exhibitions and other organisations to senstise farmers on the value of organic farming. She says the uptake of organic farming is growing at 25 per cent annually and that demand for organic products has grown significantly. She singled out the success of planting tea trees in arid and semi-arid regions.

“We are discouraging unwarranted use of conventional fertilisers. Some are made of chemicals banned in their countries of origin. We end up being a dumping ground,” Ndirangu.

Source - http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/