Equipping farmers to boost their yield

Farmers in Kwale are being given free farm inputs by the national government in partnership with the county to improve food and nutritional security.

This is through the Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme-Climate Resilient Agriculture Livelihoods (KCEP-Cral) project.

Under KCEP, they are provided with certified seeds, manure, pesticides and information on new farming methods. The Agriculture ministry trains the farmers on modern farming technology.

"The government is keen on supporting local farmers to engage in competitive farming for food production and economic growth," said former Agriculture PS Hamadi Bogo when he attended Kwale Farmers' Field Day in Ukunda.

Currently, over 60 farming groups picked from all the region's 20 wards are receiving trainings on bettering farming.

The trainings are done by specialists from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation in conjunction with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service.

The farmers are introduced to the best farming agronomics to battle new diseases and pests to improve crop growth and yields.

Kephis managing director Theophilus Mutui said they are ensuring farmers use the certified seeds that are resilient to diseases and harsh environmental conditions.

"We are advising farmers to go for high-germinating seeds that can withstand diseases and pests," he said.

Mutui said they also assist farmers to conduct soil and water analysis to ensure crop safety.

The aim is to broaden the knowledge of farmers on where to plant specific crops and the amount of nutrients and type of manure to apply.

Many farmers use harmful pesticides, poor seeds and apply manure recklessly, resulting in reduced harvests.

Pest control products board officer Karisa Shaban said they are educating farmers to go for recommended and certified pesticides.

Shaban said they are equipping residents with skills on how to identify fake products to protect the general health of crops and the consumers.

Kephis Coast regional acting manager Thomas Kosiom said they have incorporated many farmers and trained them on new farming skills.

He said they managed to successfully run a pilot project on modern farming at Dzombo in Lunga Lunga and Ukunda.

Kosiom said the projects create a conducive platform for farmers to learn about intercropping, crop rotation, utilisation of lands, pest and disease control to maximise food production.

Last year, more than 300 farmers were trained by the county government on the best techniques of crop management and value chain addition.

BENEFICIARIES

Richard Ndungu has more than once benefited from modern agricultural practices.

He said previously, local farmers used cows to prepare farms and plant, which contributed to poor yields because most of the seedlings died.

The new technology requires they use ropes while planting to get the correct data of crop population.

He said they are now using the required manure unlike in the past, when they were just applying them carelessly, harming soil fertility.

Ndungu said the new farming practices have made them stop relying on unstable rains and embark on dripping and irrigation methods.

He said they have also moved from growing one type of crops and shifted to mixed farming.

"Earlier, we depended on maize only and some cassava, but we've seen even watermelons, tomatoes, cucumbers, sorghum among others can be grown here," he said.

Tomato farmer Regina Kisese said the latest farming skills made her realise they can produce quality tomatoes and maize.

She said previously, they produced small tomatoes that took longer to mature, but the agricultural demo projects have proved that many tomatoes can be produced within the shortest time possible.

Jacinta Mutuku also received the training and is already applying them to increase food and beat poverty.

She said they adopted the new technology to better their lives.

IRRIGATION

Agriculture executive Joan Nyamasyo said the county is constructing earth dams and strengthening water systems to spearhead agricultural activities.

The county has constructed more than 100 water boreholes and various mega-dams to provide locals with water for domestic use and irrigation.

Nyalani and Dzihoeni food security programmes are among the many successful projects done through irrigation in Kinango.

During the launch of the Red Cross livestock project at Kwale headquarters, Deputy Governor Fatuma Achani said the water boles and earth dams have helped restore soil fertility to some of the previously drought-prone areas.

She said the water projects have largely assisted in easing hunger as locals engage in agriculture.

The county is also giving farmers Galla goats and hybrid cows to boost livestock farming.

The Galla goats produce the best milk and meat. They can also withstand harsh climatic conditions and diseases, unlike others.