Farmers in Siaya county have been urged to address soil health if they are to get better yields.
According to the Siaya County Director of Agriculture, Vincent Okoth, soils in the County are getting acidic and urgent action is required to reverse the trend.
Speaking during an agricultural field day held at the Avepo Smart Farm, Mbaga, at the outskirts of Siaya town, the Director named the areas most affected by acidity as Ugenya, Gem, Alego and Ugunja.
“If we are not able to address the acidity of the soils, we may not be able to get the produce that we desire,” said the Director who was flanked by among others the Chief Executive Officer of the Avepo Agrovet limited, Julius Okoth and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology Head of Agroeconomics and Agribusiness Department, Dr Romana Mbinya.
Mr Okoth said Siaya County Government, under the leadership of Governor James Orengo, was committed to supporting farmers realise better yields as part of its strategy to make the County self-sufficient in food.
“As a County, we are stable in food security. The kind of interventions that were put in place when this government came in, have worked,” he said, adding that right now, the County government was more worried on how the excess produce, will be mopped and stored safely.
The director said that the county loses between 30 to 40 percent of its harvest due to poor handling.
Addressing the occasion, the Director of AVEPO Smart Farm, Julius Okoth, hailed the role of modern technology in enhancing sustainable food production.
He said that farmers need to know that it is easier and cheaper to do seedlings through the modern systems that allow no diseases to be transplanted to the farms, adding that AVEPO Smart Farm is actively promoting technological advancements in agro-production to improve efficiency and output.
The Head of Agro-economics and Agribusiness Department at JOOUST, Dr Romana Mbinya, said the University was committed to working with other stakeholders in improving food security in Siaya County.
Dr Mbinya said strategic partnerships aimed at fostering agribusiness development, would ensure long-term sustainability and economic growth within the community.
The University don hailed the positive attitude that the local youth was showing towards agriculture, adding that unlike in the past when farming was regarded as an occupation for the elderly, youths were now embracing agribusiness opportunities.
Local farmers led by Cecilia Nyateko Odera, expressed their appreciation for the knowledge gained, adding that the modern farming techniques learnt at AVEPO Smart Farm have enabled them become self-reliant.
By Philip Onyango
