The colorful sounds of traditional songs and dances filled the air at Mugima School in Kiserian, as farmers, learners, teachers, and community leaders gathered for this year’s Organic Farming and Cultural Foods Exhibition in Kajiado North Sub County.
The event organized by the Community Sustainable Agriculture and Health Environmental Program (C-SHEP) highlighted the growing importance of organic farming and the preservation of cultural heritage at a time when many farmers are increasingly relying on modern farming methods and chemical-based food production.
C-SHEP, a Kenyan non-governmental organization headquartered in Kiserian, has been at the forefront of promoting organic farming, agroecology, climate-smart agriculture and sustainable food production.
Through initiatives such as urban multistory gardens and farmer training programs, the organization continues to empower local communities to embrace environmentally friendly farming practices.
This year’s exhibition attracted farmers from across Kajiado County, who came to learn about organic farming methods and product, including organic seeds, fertilizers, and medicinal plants.
Pupils from various primary schools in Kajiado North also attended the event to learn about cultural foods prepared by different communities in Kenya.
Beyond farming demonstrations, the event turned into a vibrant celebration of culture. Participants engaged in traditional dances, choral verses, and cultural performances from different Kenyan communities.
Kikuyu and Maasai women dressed in colorful traditional attire also performed traditional dances, adding excitement and cultural richness to the occasion.
Speaking during the event, Sarah Koikai, a teacher at Joram G.M. School, said the exhibition gave learners a valuable opportunity to appreciate cultural diversity and understand the importance of organic farming.
“This event has exposed learners to different cultures, foods, and co-curricular activities such as folk songs and dances. They have also learned about the various technologies in food production and the importance of organic farming without excessive use of chemicals,” she said.
Alice Koskie, a teacher at Bridge International School, said the exhibition helped learners connect classroom lessons with practical experiences
“I am very happy to bring my students to this organic farming and cultural exhibition because they have experienced what they learn in class.
Agriculture is part of the school syllabus from Grade four to Grade nine, and I believe the knowledge they have gained here will help them both at home and in the future,” she noted.
Experts from various exhibitions alluded to more of organic farming encouraging the use of natural methods in food production while discouraging excessive use of chemicals that are associated with health complications such as cancer, environmental degradation, and destruction of water sources.
Sustainable agriculture, experts present said, requires farming methods that improve soil fertility, while maximizing production on small pieces of land.
James Mwangi, a small-scale farmer from Kajiado North, said the exhibition had transformed his perspective on farming.
“Today I have learned a lot about organic farming methods. As a farmer, I am going to try these methods because I have seen they are productive. Organic farming also saves money since it uses locally available materials that are affordable to ordinary farmers,” he said.
Farmers attending the event also received training on seed bulking, seed storage and exchange, bio-intensive farming, soil fertility management, ecological pest and disease control, animal husbandry, and disease management techniques aimed at improving yields sustainably.
Kajiado County Director of Agriculture Victoria Nthenya commended C-SHEP for organizing the event and encouraging farmers to embrace sustainable farming practices.
“I appreciate C-SHEP for bringing farmers together to learn about organic farming. As the government, we encourage farmers to adopt organic farming methods to protect our soils and improve our health. I also urge learners and young people to embrace agriculture as a source of employment and economic empowerment,” she said.
As Kenya continues to push for food security, stakeholders at the exhibition emphasized the need for farmers to adopt agroecological, organic, and bio-intensive farming methods to improve food production, increase earnings and protect the environment for future generations.
Organic farming in Kenya is a rapidly growing sector. The government has been promoting organic farming primarily through localized county initiatives, driven by regional agricultural bodies and research institutions to improve food security and soil health.
By Peter Muteti
