On
4th September 2014, ACT organized a farmer’s field day under
Conservation
Agriculture for Increased Resilience to Climate Change and Improved
Food Security in Eastern and Southern Africa (CA4CC)
Program as a platform for transmitting CA information to Small Holder
farmers, service providers, extension officers, policy makers and
other CA stakeholders. The event was held in Muramati Location in
Laikipia East at Daniel Muchemi’s farm. Through this program over
10,000
farmers are expected to be reached through local level CA projects.
The event brought
together more than 270 participants including farmers, school pupils
and government representatives from the county government, Ministry
of Agriculture and the provincial administration. Over 7
stakeholders, including Kenya pollinators, Kenya seed company,
agro-dealers, AGRA Representative, Agriculture Sector development
programme (ASDSP), Sun transfer-Kenya, Soil Cares, Sustainable
Community Development Agency (SCODE), Equity bank, Barclays bank,
Taifa SACCO and community-based organizations in agriculture, energy,
and health.
Maize-Dolicos LabLab
intercrop, Butter Beans, KAT56 Beans, Cowpeas, Fava Beans, Pegion
peas and Chick peas farm plots formed the main CA enterprises for
learning. All the plots contained a residue retention ranging 60-100%
which is a key principle in CA technology.
James mageni, a
representative of Kenya
Seed Company, encouraged farmers to plant crops that would mature
within a short period and drought tolerant maize varieties.
A
college agriculture student on attachment at the local Secondary
School challenged the youth to be more actively involved in farming.
“Let us go back to the farm and help our parents,” he urged his
peers. The
main message from stakeholders was that in working together in the
field of agriculture, farmers can make tangible steps in contributing
to food security in the country, particularly in the scenario of
changing climates.
Alliance
for Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA) was represented by Mr. Mbayaka
who interviewed some farmers including the host farmer, extension
officers and stakeholders.
Mrs.
Mwangi, Laikipia East Sub-county Agricultural Officer encouraged
farmers who have started adopting CA in the area to up-scale it in
their entire farms so that they can realize full benefits of
Conservation Agriculture. “Holding a Field day at Mr. Daniel
Muchemi’s farm, has enabled farmers from this area to learn
comprehensively about Conservation Agriculture”. CA has emerged as
an alternative to conventional agriculture as a result of losses in
soil productivity”. Mrs. Mwangi said.
Mr. Kinyumu, Laikipia
County Deputy County Agricultural Officer, Ministry
of Agriculture urged farmers to adopt conservation agriculture
techniques, many
of whom are experiencing climate change-induced drought, so as to
increase their yields and conserve natural resources. “Conservation
Agriculture contributes to environmental conservation and sustainable
agricultural production by maintaining a permanent or semi-permanent
organic soil cover”. “Adoption of CA at the farm level is
associated with lower labour and farm-power inputs, more stable
yields and improved soil nutrient exchange capacity. Crop production
profitability under CA tends to increase over time relative to
conventional agriculture” Said Kinyumu.
Speaking during the
field day, Mr. Kibicha, the county Ward administrator thanked ACT for
its contribution in improving Food security status in the area. “I
wish to thank ACT for its strong commitment to help farmers increase
their yield through CA technology”.
Mr.
Muchemi, the host farmer as well as the CA4CC model farmer in the
area also spoke.”Most of the people in this area ask me whether I
irrigate my farm”. “This is because my farm is green with crops
throughout the year unlike that of other farmers at the
neighborhood”. “The secret to this is because I have been
practicing CA after thorough training from ACT”. Muchemi urged his
fellow farmers to adopt CA as a sure way of countering the drought
which has been experienced in the area over the years.
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| Mr. Muchemi, the field day host farmer in his farm. |
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| Crops officer, Mrs. Kasavuli training the farmers during the field day |
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| Mrs. Macharia, Ward Agricultural officer addressing the field day participants |
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| Soil Officer from Soil care organisation training the students |
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| ACT Field officer training Muramati primary school during the event |
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| AGRA representative, Mr. Mbakaya (left) showed up for the event to interview the farmers in the area |
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| The ward Administrator, Mr Kibicha addressing the participants |
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