Kalro’s pest control project to benefit 40,000 farmers in 5 counties

More than 40,000 farmers are expected to get better yields after the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation started a project to promote integrated pest management.

The project is being implemented in Homa Bay, Nandi, Migori, Bungoma and Kakamega counties.

It is aimed at enhancing food safety and security.

Statistics show farmers lose at least 30 per cent of their produce to pests and diseases every season.

Kalro in partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and respective county governments, are undertaking the programme to reduce the cost of food production.

The project involves training of experts who undertake plant health management.

The experts teach farmers in villages on integrated pest management and disease control.

The director in charge of partnerships and business development at Kalro, Margaret Makelo, FAO’s Boost project coordinator Jimmy Mweri and Homa Bay agriculture director Erick Adel said the knowledge on the integrated pest management will enable farmers to control pests effectively.

“The application of various methods of pests control enhances efficacy in eradicating the pests. Some pests are controlled using chemicals, while others are controlled using biological methods,” Makelo said.

Speaking during the launch of the implementation of the project at Kendu showground in Karachuonyo constituency on Monday, Makelo said not all pests can be controlled with chemicals.

Application of various methods includes early planting and crop rotation.

She said the project will also lower the cost of crop production.

“The services, which our experts are going to offer, will cushion farmers from the high cost of production. The services will also cushion them from loss of crops orchestrated by pests,” Makelo said.

Mweri said the project would bridge the gap between the demand and supply of food.

“This project involves a holistic approach that will ensure farmers get what they should get from their farms,” he said.

Mweri said the project will also enhance food safety and security in the target counties.

“Farmers are also taught how to grow food in a safe manner by reducing the use of chemicals,” he said.

Mweri said the project will address climate change adversity by providing farmers with the knowledge on climate-friendly farming practices.

Adel said the project will address shortage of agricultural field extension officers’ services in his county.

He said the current ration of agricultural field extension of officers to farmers in his county is 1:4000.

“We have a serious shortage of agricultural extension of officers in our county due to limitation of resources. This project will reduce the shortage,” Adel said.