By Daniel Otieno, Kakamega
In a significant move to bolster agricultural practices and enhance food security, the Alliance Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has launched a transformative initiative in partnership with the Cereal Growers Association (CGA), the University of Eldoret, and the County Government of Kakamega.
This collaboration aims to equip local farmers with essential skills and sustainable farming methods tailored to address the challenges posed by climate change when it comes to food production.
The program under the theme: “Promoting Sustainable Farming Practices and Inclusive Markets and Trade for Smallholder Farmers in Kenya for Food and Nutrition Security” aims to increase adoption of sustainable farming practices that catalyse smallholder productivity and food security, and protection of the environment.
Kakamega county has been marked as one of the five counties where the program will be implemented. The other four are, Machakos, Vihiga, Nandi and Kisumu.
“We want to help the farmers to be food secure and generate income from their produce by training them on post-harvest handling and loss reduction,” Lilian Orlando, the CGA Agribusiness Co-ordinator. “In matters soil health,” she added, “we shall group the farmers together and educate them on soil mixture and management.”
Ms Orlando said “the select counties are those faced with food insecurity thus there is need of famer sensitization on good farming tools and methods,”
The county government of Kakamega through its 6 point agenda has embraced these methods that will strengthen delivery of extension, farm inputs and mechanization. This will create and sustain 20,000 dignified and fulfilling jobs
Farmers who have joined the organization will adopt sustainable agricultural farming practices, business coaching, enterprise development and access to inclusive markets and trade to achieve food and nutrition security by embracing digital farming tools like, Climate smart practices, sustainable farming, resilience to climate change. This will reflect on more surplus that ensures more profits.
Farmers Service Centre (FSC) that teaches the farmers on climate smart agriculture has called on farmers to embrace this program coining it to be their only hope.
“AGRA will help the locals to get more produce and this will fulfill Governor Barasa’s agenda of eradicating hunger by boosting produce, “said Moses Munyanya. “I want to express my joy because the county government has embraced this activity, it has ensured through AGRA the famers are reached to bring about the agricultural boost,” he added
The program targets 125,000 farmers in the five counties. 1.25 million Agroforestry trees distributed and planted, 50,000 home gardens established, 270 village savings and loaning associations strengthened and many more.
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