Embrace indigenous crops that withstand harsh climate, experts

Experts have called for the adoption of indigenous crops as a move to enhance food security and nutrition in the country.

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Deputy director general for crops Dr Felister Makini said indigenous crops are nutritious and more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

“The reason why there is so much interest on these crops is because they are highly nutritious and are drought tolerant, hence the need to focus and promote them,” she said.

Makini spoke during second Indigenous Seeds and Food Culture Harvest Fair.

The event's theme this year is Celebrating Food and Seed Sovereignty in Kenya; Reclaiming and Protecting Our Food and Farming Systems While Nourishing Our Health and Sustaining Our Future. .

The two day event also sought to increase public awareness on seed diversity and promoting agro ecology through women empowerment.

"Seed is a key input in farming and food sovereignty not only in Africa but globally. Its quality, availability, accessibility, affordability and diversity have a positive impact on climate resilience and food sovereignty,"she said.

Makini said Kalro is currently developing some seed systems with focus on African leafy vegetables.

“We have been working on sorghum, millets, cassava, sweet potatoes and African leafy vegetables. We have also developed varieties of cow peas, pigeon peas and green grams," she said.

Makini said research on some of the indigenous crops is quite expensive.

 "We will need more funding to do more research to be able to promote them in a wider region,” she said.

The second Indigenous Seeds and Food Culture Harvest Fair is a precursor to World Food Day that is supposed to be held on October 16.

National Coordinator for Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya Anne Maina said they are looking at policies on indigenous seed system to promote local varieties.

“We have known for a long time in Kenya that when the government speaks about food security, it is only about maize. However, we have other foods such as finger millet, sorghum, cassavas that if more effort was put in growing them, Kenya will no longer be a net food importer,” she said.

Maina who chaired the committee organising this year's seed fair said Kenya was able to feed itself a few decades ago.

“It is unfortunate that we are now importing maize, rice and wheat to feed our population,” she said.

Maina said they have partnered with the National Museums of Kenya, Agriculture Ministry and Kalro to promote food and seed sovereignty.

“We are developing a national agro-ecology strategy at the national level, to bring on board all agricultural practices that are sustainable, under the inter-sectoral forum on agro-biodiversity and agroecology,” she said.

Maina said the strategy will reduce farmers' reliance on hazardous pesticides being used to produce foods with disastrous effects on the environment.

She said plans are in place to amend seed laws that prohibit farmers from selling indigenous seeds.

“Our only issue with civil society and organisations is that they have had limited involvement in this policy,” Maina said.

She said her organisation is opposed to state's efforts to introduce GMO in the country.

Gloria Otieno, one of the researchers conserving indeginous genetic resources said sorghum and finger millet are good for diabetes and heart problems.

She said the crops are also rich in iron and calcium which are important for women and children.

Otieno said they have been working in lower Nyakach and Vihiga to restore lost diversity of sorghum, finger millet and beans.

"Currently, our farmers conserve about 67 varieties of beans, 23 varieties of sorghum and 10 varieties of finger millet from gene banks that are performing under drought and heat stress, some are resistant to pests and diseases," she said.

Otieno said they are working with about 1,000 farmers and have set up three community seed banks.