The government has prioritized sustainable farming practices in its policies and budget to ensure food and nutrition security and build resilience against climate change shocks.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said various State agencies in collaboration with partners from county governments, local and international firms and research institutions were building capacity of both smallholder and large-scale farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices towards improving crop yields, stimulating the economy and helping mitigate climate change.
The CS noted that agriculture was hugely vulnerable to climate change because crops were vulnerable to irregular, insufficient and unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, Kagwe noted, had created extreme weather conditions such as flash flooding, drought and locust invasions that have not only slashed crop yields but fueled regional conflict over diminishing access to essential resources.
Speaking when he inaugurated the annual Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Trade Fair in Nakuru, the Cabinet Secretary stated that the partnership was also building resilience in smallholder farming and pastoral communities that depend on rain-fed agriculture through scaling up climate-smart agricultural practices, strengthening climate-smart agricultural research and seed systems, and supporting agro-meteorology and advisory services.
“Sustainable agriculture is about developing new disease and drought resistant and high yielding seed varieties, increasing profitable farm income, protecting the environment, enhancing quality of life for farming communities and increasing production for human food and fibre needs,” he stated.
The CS said the government had launched a landmark Sh1.081 trillion Kenya National Agri-food Systems Investment Framework that will guide the country’s agricultural transformation over the next five years, as part of the second phase of implementing the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS 2019–2029).
He indicated that the Investment Plan is aimed at building resilient food systems, modernizing agricultural value chains, expanding irrigation, strengthening food security, creating more than 2 million jobs within the period, increasing farmer incomes, and positioning Kenya as a competitive regional hub for sustainable agri-food investment.
As part of the Bottom-Up Agenda, the government, Kagwe affirmed was implementing measures and interventions to achieve food and nutritional security for all Kenyans including supporting large-scale production of staple food, expanding irrigation schemes, increasing access to agricultural inputs, and supporting small-holder farmers to sustainably produce and market commodities.
Kagwe listed some of the climate smart agriculture practices as development and use of drought and heat tolerant crop varieties, finding use for waste products from crops, training on the costs and benefits of crop insurance, reduction of post-harvest losses through support of agricultural machinery, adoption of biological pesticides for green gram farmers, conservation of agriculture practices such as zero tillage, and mulching, adoption of a warehouse receipting system and making use of waste material for biogas.
For pastoralists, the CS said the practices will entail shifts in herd composition from cattle to goats and/or camels, while in dairy farming it involves providing feed supplementation to increase productivity, providing of adequate water, improving collection systems to reduce spoilage and biogas systems to provide household energy and reduce emissions from manure.
Kagwe indicated that the 2022-2026 Climate Smart Agriculture Multi Stakeholder Platform strategic plan (CSA-MSP) being spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to equip farmers with adaptation practices on climate action, geared to increase food production hence, reducing the food prices.
He said that hundreds of farmers’ groups in Arid and Semi-arid regions had been trained on climate-smart agriculture and provided with material support such as certified drought-resistant seeds, farm implements and animal supplements for increased productivity.
He hailed the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Egerton University and other research agencies for developing a variety of seeds, goat and cattle breeds that apart from being high yielding were resistant to drought and diseases.
As one way of coping with climate change the CS urged Kenyans to adopt urban farming through establishment of kitchen gardens, while diversifying from maize into coffee, passion fruit, pyrethrum, macadamia, avocado, potato and vegetable farming.
He noted that incorporating technology in agribusiness would help overcome barriers to entry in marketing and value addition, as well as deliver efficient, transparent, and last-mile extension services at scale.
Kagwe emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to engaging farmers in adopting new technological practices saying embracing modern-day farming methods will make Kenya food secure
He added that the solution to challenges facing agriculture ranging from shrinking land size as a result of population explosion, poor yields, and food insecurity lay in the adoption of modern farming trends and underscored the pivotal role of innovation in bolstering farming practices and increasing harvest yields.
First held in 1921, the Nakuru ASK Show is one of the oldest agricultural events in the region, covering the Central Rift Counties of Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Nyandarua and Laikipia.
Over 180 exhibitors are showcasing the latest advancements in farming technology at this year’s event being held at the Nakuru ASK grounds until Sunday.
While reiterating the significance of technology in driving agricultural growth, citing its potential to up farmer incomes and foster business opportunities, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Kagwe observed that climatic shocks continue to increase and the only way to manage it is through learning and adapting to new technology.
“There is a global need for innovative agricultural solutions, particularly in the face of population growth, climate change, and environmental challenges. There are emerging technologies in the agricultural sector all over the world, and part of the discussion is to make sure that Kenya is not left behind in those discussions,” Kagwe said.
He expressed his satisfaction with how youth have recently embraced agricultural practices in the country and revealed plans to engage the Ministry of Education to align the future of young farmers and boost food security and production.
The CS observed that with proper techniques, even small landholders could make full utilization of the dwindling land resources with improved returns and asked farmers to also make a transition from rain-fed agriculture to irrigated farming in light of erratic climate changes characterized by late-onset and early cessation of rainfall.
He assured farmers that the government was doing everything possible in ensuring the provision of irrigation water to all farmers through the sinking of boreholes and construction of water pans.
The CS called on farmers to practice water harvesting and storage technologies for use during dry spells which would go a long way in improving crop yields and production reliably adding that there was need for farmers to make a shift to drought-resistant and early maturing crops as well as diversification to avoid over-reliance on a few crops that are at risk during drought.
The Cabinet Secretary further advised farmers to embrace value addition mechanisms to boost revenue generated from end products like flour which fetches more returns than the sale of maize.
He added that the ASK provides a platform that will enable farmers in the country to learn and adopt the new technologies in farming. He said through his visits to the various stands at the showground, there was plenty for the farmers to learn and practice at home.
The show features exhibitors from various sectors of Agriculture, Finance, Academics and other government institutions that are showcasing services that they offer.
by Esther Mwangi and Dennis Rasto
