Climate-smart farming practices

Global warming and climate change have affected most farming activities in Kenya, from excess rainfall to prolonged dry periods. This has been a trend in our country where farmers have encountered crop losses due to excessive rains and extreme dry periods.

Farmers need to be prepared for these disasters by implementing climate-smart practices that can help their crops cope with these adverse climate changes.

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Bag farming

This is a high yielding farming technology that utilises space on your farm and reduces water wastage. They can hold up to 100 plants depending on your space. This farming practice can suit both rural and urban farmers who want to grow vegetables.

You can use a sack or purchase a vertical bag. Add soil and manure, and mix it thoroughly. Spread the soil to achieve an even base and fill water and start planting your seeds. This farming practice suits vegetables like carrots, spinach, kales, coriander herbs and lettuce.

The bags will retain water for a long time keeping the plants moisturized. The practice will help the farmers save time used in watering the plants frequently. This farming practice is very convenient since it does not encourage weeds that depletes nutrients required by the plant.

Crop protection

Climate change is pushing pest and disease into new geographical pest and diseases. For instance, in the scenario of locust invasion in East African countries. The insects are known to be found in desert areas. Authorities need to use required measure to control the insects.

For future preparations, farmers need to incorporate measures that can help them control the pests and diseases affecting the crops since some have become resistant to pesticides. They can start planting repellant crops that discourage the pests from attacking the plants.

These crops include garlic which repels beetles, aphids, Japanese beetles and spider mites when grown next to vegetables. Basil repels tomato hornworms while marigolds planted near squash or cucumbers repel cucumber beetles and nematodes.

For the future, farmers can plant trap crops that help reduce pest infestation and population. You can also practice crop rotation that not only helps to control pests but also maintain soil fertility. 

Minimum tillage

Minimum tillage is the process of growing crops year to year with zero or minimum soil disturbance. This method aims to ensure that water moisture in the soil is retained, plant remains left on the soil surface increase organic matter thus increasing nutrients in the soil. Minimizes soil erosion as it strengthens soil structure. The process fastens crop maturity since the moisture retained aids in seed germination other than waiting for the planting rains.

Drought-tolerant crops

Drought is a threat to all farmers.  Farmers can plant drought-resistant crops that will still yield profits after severe climate change.

These practices can help both small and large scale farmers evade losses incurred after climate changes. Farmers can also practice mulching that will help cover bare land and reduce evaporation of soil moisture during dry seasons.

Climate change is a huge threat not only to the farmers but the country as it leads to food insecurity and famine.