Organic farming offers hope for food security

Researchers from various bodies at Kandara Kalro [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] Scientists say a 15-year-long research project on the comparison between conventional and organic agriculture has led to positive results. The scientists working under the SysCom Kenya Research Project have reported that crops under the organic farming system did well in demonstration sites at Chuka in Tharaka Nithi and Kandara in Murang'a. At a recent stakeholder's workshop, the technical teams, and farmers practising agroecology appreciated the results showing that if adopted and promoted, Kenyans would be food-sufficient and have better disease-free lives, with farming becoming more sustainable. Lead scientists Dr Edward Karanja, Dr David Amudavi, Dr Anne Muriuki and Dr Milka Kiboi said the results from the two sites gave impressive reports based on the 15 years of research linking agroecology to have the potential to facilitate the transition toward inclusive, healthy, and sustainable food systems. Dr Karanja reported that looking at a holistic system approach, organic farming systems did well in demonstration sites when compared to conventional farming systems. Through SysCom project partnerships, more than 1,049 farmers have been trained in Murang'a, Tharaka Nithi, Siaya, Vihiga, Taita Taveta, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nyandarua counties on pest and disease control, biopesticides preparation and use, composting techniques and livestock management, said Dr Muriuki. In the localities, farmers received training on composting techniques, agroforestry, water harvesting, pest and disease control, biopesticides preparation and use, adherence to crop calendar, animal housing and animal welfare. Dr Kiboi said the SysCom Kenya research project was coordinated by the International Organic Farming Institute (FiBL) in Switzerland. In Kenya, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) is the main implementing partner institution and holds the project under the Plant Health theme. The project works with other local partners like the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro), Kenyatta University Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (Koan) and Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (Kiof), among others. "In the project framework, the research dealt with biodiversity conservation, soil health, plant health, animal health, human health, environmental health and sustainable and safe food production agroecosystems," said Dr Karanja. Kalro Director General Eliud Kireger noted that organic farming's impact on soil and plant health has been good and it guarantees safe and sustainable agricultural crop production. He observed that farmers practice conventional agriculture, characterised by unsustainable land use practices, through the use of chemical fertilisers and continuous mono-cropping of the same crop over the seasons. Mr Kereger added that there is a need to caution the farmers on the high dependence on herbicides, pesticides and fungicides to control weeds, pests and diseases respectively. "To ensure the direct benefit to local farming communities, the project is complemented with the participatory on-farm research trials, which aims at developing technological innovations and management practices that are adapted to local farmers' conditions," he said in a speech read on his behalf by Dr David Kamau. At Kangari in Murang'a County, trials have been done on composting techniques, best use of biomass and currently vegetable push-pull following a two-season crop rotation. At Chuka and Makuyu, the trials have been on soil fertility improvement and currently on soil moisture conservation and climate change resiliency. Dr Amudavi said to overcome the present and future challenges there is a need to educate and empower the decision-makers, policymakers, and experts involved in international cooperation, who support and develop strategies for transitioning to agroecology and organic production systems. "These systems implement holistic farm management, achieving yields and incomes that are on par or even higher than conventional," he said. Sebastian Kamau, a resident of Kianjugu in Makuyu said the agroecology farming concept has assisted many residents gain access to quality and healthy foods. "Through the training, the community in Murang'a have gained from the researchers, many of the families are now able to grow organic foods that are in high demand in the local and outside markets," said Mr Kamau. The farmers are also trained to make biopesticides as part of promoting organic farming practices. Murang'a County County Executive for Devolution and Coordination Dr Kiringai Kamau said the agroecology concept has been rolled out in all the sub-counties. In Murang'a, he said the organic farming demonstration sites were established in partnership with Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (Pelum), Organic Agriculture Centre of Kenya (OACK), and SNV Kenya, among others. "Murang'a is the first county government to enact agroecology policy through the support of the researchers and partners," said Mr Kiringai. The CEC added that the concept encourages and enhances biological cycles within the farming systems and maintains and increases the long-term fertility of soils. Meanwhile, Kalro has entered into a partnership with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the China National Rice Research Institute on extensive collaboration in agricultural science and technology. The agreement was signed at KALRO Headquarters in Nairobi by Kalro boss Mr Kireger and CAAS Vice President Prof Peisong Hu. This strategic alliance aims to foster significant advancements in various facets of agriculture. One of the primary areas of focus is crop genetic improvement. The collaboration will target key crops such as rice, maize, sweet potatoes, and tea, enhancing their genetic traits for better yield and resilience. Mr Kireger said the signing of the MoU marks a significant step forward for Kalro and its Chinese counterparts. The shared expertise and resources will undoubtedly drive innovation and progress in Kenya's agricultural sector. As the collaboration unfolds, it promises to bring about transformative changes that will benefit both farmers and consumers, paving the way for a more resilient and productive agricultural landscape in Kenya. By leveraging advanced cultivation techniques and genetic research, the partnership seeks to boost productivity and sustainability in Kenyan agriculture. In addition to crop enhancement, the partnership emphasises animal husbandry and by-product processing. The institutions will work together on breeding and managing livestock, including goats, sheep, poultry, and other animals. This initiative aims to improve the quality of livestock and optimize the processing of animal products like dairy and meat, enhancing their marketability and quality. Such efforts are expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of Kenyan farmers. The partnership also addresses the pressing issue of climate change. Both institutions are committed to developing and implementing technologies that mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture.

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