By Jane Mugambi
Kirinyaga County, Kenya: Recently farmers in Kirinyaga County thronged at the Agritech seedlings company farm in Mutithi, to learn the best farming methods that will mitigate climate change and also enhance food production.
Over 6,000 farmers attended the Agritech expo to learn farming methods that they can adapt in their areas.
Joseph Njoroge from Mpeketoni was very happy to learn new methods keeping in mind Lamu County is in a dry area and is not reliable.
“We have been doing farming the wrong way, now whatever I have learned will be put into practice so as to produce food,” said Njoroge.
He also said the collaboration between the expo management and the county government of Lamu: gave farmers a chance to interact with farmers from various areas of the country and exchange ideas on better farming methods in arid-semi-arid zones.
Principal Secretary Phillip Kello said that the expo has exposed farmers to best practices in food production.
He also said that farmers have been encouraged on the right seedlings by Agritech seedlings company for various areas in the country.
“Farmers are excited and taken through agriculture farming lessons, benefits of agricultures and education of varieties of rice, should be continuously encouraged.
The PS said the Ministry of Agriculture has also been exposed to challenges faced by farmers, explaining to them what we stand for and what we have for them in terms of policies and strategies as the ministry tries to Implement the bottom-up economic agenda.
On Contraband chemicals, have a unit pest control board, mandated with the task of ensuring that standards are adhered to.
He said that the pest control board officers are visiting agrovets, and farms to ensure that the best chemicals are used by farmers and also sensitize farmers on the dangerous chemicals that are not right and not acceptable for human consumption so as to eradicate them from farming areas.
“We know most of the chemicals are not good, and that is why the government has put up measures to ensure that farmers get the right chemicals that are not harmful to farming,” said PS Kello.
On Snails, the program is ongoing apple snails that have been affected,20 metric tonnes in Mwea, will still bring more chemicals so as to eradicate them.
Family Bank CEO Mr.Titus Muya urged farmers to also engage the bank in agri-financing citing that the percentage rate is affordable to all.
“We are urging farmers to also engage us family bank for agri-financing, we have friendly terms,” said Mr.Muya.
Family Bank chairman Wilfred Kiboro said that for the value chain to be achieved, financing has to be done, saying that they are ready to support them so that they may be able to produce.
He said Kenya being an agri-country, university graduates need to change their mindset and understand that there is money in agriculture.
Kiboro said that during the climate summit, President William Ruto said millionaires are going to be in agri-business.
“It is important as young men and women to embrace agriculture and also learn from each other and it’s from best practices that one can make agriculture pay,” said Kiboro.
Alex Wachira, PS Energy, said to boost the value chain his ministry is targeting 100% electrification by 2030 through Last Mile connectivity and partnership with development partners every Kenyan will be connected to the national grid.
He also said they are opting for clean energy like biogas to reduce the cutting of trees for firewood.
