MAY/JUNE ISSUE - 2019
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF KENYA www.ask.co.ke
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On the inside
→→Gains of passion fruit farming →→Shift to horticulture Improved →→Disruptive agricultural technology Finger Millet Variety May/June 2019 Issue
Contents 5 | Editor 6 | Patrons’ Take 14 | Gains of passion fruit farming 8 | NC & CEO 15 | Asparagus Messages
17 | Tea tree farming gaining popularity in Nanyuki 13 | Events 2019
18 | Drone technology assist farmers in Meru
22 | Farmers in Tharaka Nithi shifting Common Nightshade Nyota F.1 from bananas to horticulture farming
26 | Rejuvenating vital sectors in rural 16 | Dairy project launched in Meru economies
28 | Smart crops cussion farmers against being food insecure
32 | Researchers promise farmers improved finger millet variety Gloria F.1 34 | Sand dams gurantee machakos farmers Watermelon water and food Sugar Belle F.1 36 | Disruptive agricultural technology
30 | Laikipia farmers 38 | Scientist discover doubling their yields new remendy for fall Red Nice F.1 of armyworms
Tel: 020 2215066/97/83, info@siml2 Kenyaaw. Farmerco.ke • May/JuneMobile: Issue 0722 200545, P.O Box 40042-00100 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 3 www.simlaw.co.ke 0734 811 861. 020 2602191/93. Nairobi. PATRON H.E. President Hon. Uhuru Welcome Kenyatta, CGH DEPUTY PATRON H.E. Deputy President Hon. to issue 200 William Ruto, EGH FIRST VICE PATRON Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri, EGH COUNTY PATRONS County Governors SOCIETY CHAIRMAN Mrs. Annabel Kiriinya DEPUTY CHAIRMEN Mr. Jackson Tuwei Ms. Edith Onzere Mr. Charles Owelle Changing Weather and Climate Patterns: LEGAL ADVISOR Dr. Kennedy Omanga Blessing or Curse for Agriculture CHIEF EXECUTIVE Mr. Batram Muthoka EDITORIAL BOARD Mr. Joseph Mugo he rains are here with us after a period of CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD Mary Kiio, Lawrence Matolo, lack of rainfall in many parts of the country Dr. Karl Nyakundi in the earlier part of the year. In some T EDITORIAL BOARD Juliet Wamiri areas,farmers had started lamenting that the rains SECRETARY
were not predictable anymore and hence making it NAIROBI BRANCH Mr. Joseph Mugo difficult to prepare adequately for the crops to plant. CHAIRMAN Livestock keepers were also concerned about the COAST BRANCH Anisa Abdallah CHAIRMAN decreasing pasture due to the dry season. NAKURU, CENTRAL RIFT Margaret Anami The changes in weather patterns and climate is BRANCH CHAIRMAN something that cannot be ignored and it is important CHAIRMAN KISUMU Mr. Caleb Oguya REGIONAL SHOW for all in the agricultural sector to concertedly, ELDORET BRANCH Mr. Ratcliffe Nangalama draw their effortsto come up with solutions. When CHAIRMAN
predictions are made of expectations of lower CENTRAL KENYA Mr. John Kibira or higher amounts of rainfall over a season it is CHAIRMAN important that agricultural and meteorological NORTH RIFT Mr. Fredrick Tarus CHAIRMAN scientists provide advisories to farmers, livestock Joseph W. Mugo MT. KENYA Mr. Francis Gitonga keepers and fisher folk to plan appropriately. This Editorial Board Chairman CHAIRMAN would go a long way towards ensuring that they are SOUTHERN KENYA Mr. Julius Bosire adapting effectively to the changing climate patterns value of investment. All these and many more storiesare CHAIRMAN aimed at dealing with the innovative changes occurring WESTERN KENYA Mr. Ludovicus Okitoi and in the process resilient in ensuring, we have food CHAIRMAN security all year round. in the agricultural sector in light of changing weather and EASTERN KENYA Mr. John Mukundi In this issue, the writers have gone the extra mile climate patterns. AG CHAIRMAN to ensure they provide you with tips on how you As we continue our commitment to you to bring NORTHERN KENYA Mr. Stanley Mukaria can ensure that the crops you grow can be utilized these enlightening stories , I can’t help but to pause and CHAIRMAN in various stages to ensure you enjoy the benefits of remember our colleague and brother the Late Antony SOUTH EASTERN KENYA Mr. John Nzala CHAIRMAN value addition. In addition, there is a story of what Ngare, whose commitment to the editorial board over the KABARNET CHAIRMAN Mr. Silverno Cheptarus scientists are doing towards addressing some of the past 12 years has helped in shaping the journal as you see NORTH EASTERN KENYA Ambassador Mohamud Ali challenges experienced by farmers when dealing with it today. Check out the special tribute we have of him on CHAIRMAN Saleh page 7. We will miss you. However we shall soldier on to various pests that pose a threat to their agricultural SOUTH WESTERN KENYA Mr. George Omune productivity. There is also a story that embodies the ensure we keep this journal as fresh and interesting in line CHAIRMAN strength of bringing farmers together and finding with your passion for it. KENYA PLOUGHING Mr. Richard Aiyabei ORGANISATION homegrown solutions that can help them ensure We look forward to receiving your feedback on this they not only keep the nation fed but also see the journal. YFCK CHAIRMAN Mr. Peter Mutuuri Happy reading.
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Subscriptions +254 28070809, +254 704583850, +25 738345333 DESIGN & LAYOUT Jomac Media Ent. 4 5 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Cell: +254-721-715-914 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Email:[email protected] Patrons’ Take Tribute to a True Friend from the Kenya Farmer Journal “We must adopt science and technology to achieve inclusive agricultural growth, or over 10 years we met must be like being the father of girls- nutrition and food security in the country. Food security remains a priority in our every two months early it’s never easy for fathers to say no Fin the morning to work on especially to their young daughters. development agenda, and to this end, we must make deliberate efforts to boost the magazine we loved – the Kenya You lovingly shared the pictures of Farmer Journal. We spent time writing, them and your face would light up as growth in the agricultural sector by addressing the major challenges facing the rewriting and deleting, headlining; what you scrolled through your phone. But a word master and coiner you were. when the day of the meeting would sector.” At this point words, statements, take place, you would give the meeting sentences fail us as we write this your all and your energy would spur Patron, tribute to you Tony Ngare. May be this the team on and we would finish our Agricultural Society of Kenya writing will immortalize you brother, editorial meeting in time and meet our the words, and we want to get it just deadline. H.E. Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, CGH right as we remember how thorough Edwin Limo: You were such an ally you were in the wee hours of the Antony Ngare in the profession. We talked the same mornings we met to render service to language and when you joined the the farmers of our beloved country. world of public relations, I dutifully As the dust settle and as reality sink that you are gone answered your questions and you landed and did supper forever, we gather the courage to write what only your hands well. You were a good learner, I must say. You kept me posted “Training on seed quality, soil testing and other best practices, including plant and would have perfected and made a wonderful read. Imperfect of your professional advancement and changing of jobs. as it might be, we are sure you would not mind a brutal When you asked to have me as your professional referee, I animal health management; post-harvest handling and storage; crop diversification honesty and frank sharing of our lives. didn’t think twice. You were genuinely happy for me in my KFJ Chairman: We lost a really nice person. Ngare was won professional career progress. You called me ‘Balozi’ and and value addition will boost production, enhance farmers’ incomes and achieve very focused and committed to his duties in the Board. Rest when I was posted abroad you were elated. We had agreed I well comrade. would host you and your family before the end of my tour of food security.” Mary Kiio: It seems like it was just the other day when duty. Your departure hit me like a thunder bolt. Fare thee well I joined the Kenya Farmer Journal Editorial team and I buddy. Deputy Patron, was listening to you and Edwin Limo critique the articles You spoke your mind but not in a hurtful way. Your aim Agricultural Society of Kenya with precision and once in a while varying on opinions in a was to correct, empower and encourage. You always went respectful manner. “We need a cross head here. This picture the extra mile despite your busy office schedule. In this issue, H.E. Hon. William Ruto, EGH does not reflect this article well; can we ask the journalist if we have struggled with editing the articles in our various they have a better one.” I was soon to observe that you were dockets. It’s like by editing we would bring the day of the the master coiner of headlines for most of the articles. You editorial meeting closer and we did not want to deal with not had a way of making the blandest headlines suggested by the having you in the room with us. Your presence will be missed. “Women and youth play a major role in crop and animal production enterprises. My writers into sweet poetic language that would make me want Your sheer determination towards giving the Kenya Farmer to read the stories again when they were finally published Journal the very best will always inspire us to keep doing our Ministry is committed to supporting women and youth by providing agribusiness despite having edited some of the stories myself. best and keep the reader at the heart of all the articles. We As we took ‘commercial breaks’ while editing the journal, will miss your sense of humor and insights. We will endeavor opportunities along the sector so that they can earn an income, enhance food it was not lost on us your commitment to your family. Your to keep editing and rewriting the headlines to the very best we shared about your children and wife and was very proud of can in our memory of you. security and improve their livelihoods.” them. At times we had to move our editorial meetings despite “You carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy looming deadlines because you would say, “I had already is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share First Vice Patron, planned something with the girls.” This did not need any about you.” Agricultural Society of Kenya further elaboration to the team as we all understood what it Rest well Tony Ngare. Till we meet again. Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri, EGH, MGH
6 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 7 National Chairman Chief Executive Officer
Embracing Agribusiness and Enterpreneuship Need to Revitalize Rainfed Agriculture For Food Security and National Growth
addressing agricultural issues and ensuring food featuring the May/June Edition. security is achieved. It is therefore the moral The government has continued to revolutionize responsibility of all stakeholders in the industry to agriculture in the country, moving it from subsistence work together and support the implementation of to an agro-enterprise that employs and empowers the National Government’s projects on food security Kenyans. The Society in support of the government to improve the general well-being of Kenyans. will through her exhibitions continue to demonstrate Kenya is dependent on rain- fed agriculture. As a projects and innovative ideas that serve to increase country we are currently experiencing unpredictable income streams for the farmer, enable value addition, weather, unreliable and insufficient rains, higher than improve farmers access to information and provide normal temperatures and long drought periods due financial solutions. to climate change. This will disproportionately hurt In the recent past we have seen many Kenyans our farmers making it difficult for the country to venture into farming with high hopes of raising their eliminate poverty, hunger and malnutrition. livelihoods. While it is true you can mint millions from Agriculture world over must become more resilient farming, proper project planning at the initiation level, to climate change. Kenya should strive for more like any other established business is a must. Value productivity, stability and sustainability. The solution addition is an integral part to successful farming. lies in technology adaption including irrigation and Agribusiness has the potential to transform Kenya’s innovative water conservation, use of drought and economy, create jobs for the youth and accelerate the disease resistant crop varieties, planned land and achievement of the Government’s big four agenda, forest conservation particularly water catchment specifically the agenda on food security. Agribusiness is areas and production of high value crops that have therefore a critical ingredient of our country’s economic ready markets and fetch high market price. growth. There is dire need for concerted efforts to develop To this end, the Society supports the government’s educational and advocacy programs to educate agricultural projects that appreciate entrepreneurship farmers on climate change, its impact and adaption while endorsing agribusiness thus propelling the nation options. The Society will continue advocating for towards sustained agricultural growth, high standards adoption of irrigated agriculture as opposed to over of living and a rapid economic growth. Annabel Kiriinya (Mrs) reliance on rainfed agriculture to mitigate the effects We appeal to farmers and entrepreneurs with NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, of climate change. Visit our Shows countrywide to innovative business ideas to attend and participate AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF KENYA gain more insight on climate change. Batram M. Muthoka, in most of the Agricultural Society of Kenya Shows Our platforms countrywide will endeavor to CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, and Trade Fairs. We shall also endeavor to continue AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF KENYA am happy to welcome you to the Nanyuki Branch Show, Kakamega showcase technologies and innovations that our providing forums for the exchange of agricultural Branch Show, Meru National Show, Makueni Satellite Show and farmers can learn and exploit in order to create information, technology and innovative ideas as stated Machakos Branch Show. better services and systems that help mitigate t is a great pleasure to welcome you to Nanyuki Branch in our theme, “Promoting Innovation and Technology in I Show, Kakamega Branch Show, Meru National Show, Agriculture and Trade”. The agricultural sector is the cornerstone of long-term sustainable climate change. This is evident in light of our current development. Few countries have been able to grow their economies show theme, ‘Promoting Innovation and Technology IMakueni Satellite Show and Machakos Branch Show Karibuni kwa maonyesho! without a solid contribution from agriculture. It is for this reason, that in Agriculture and Trade.’ stakeholders in the sector should continuously work harmoniously in Karibuni kwa Maonyesho!
8 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 9 ASK Show Branches ASK Show Branches DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEW PROSPECTS farmers during the show period. nanyuki town, Burgret and Kirimon routes are not far from WELCOME TO MERU SHOW The agriculture sector, which is the backbone of the town. assure all exhibitors of our resolution to improve the from diversified sectors who have made us proud for our economy, showcases high standards of farming The equator line passes barely a kilometre from the shows’ standards and ensure that exhibitors get value for creating variety and making this show a great event. techniques and the professionals will be at hand to give town. their participation in the show. I wish to appeal to stakeholders and all well- advice. Our show theme this year remains- ‘’ Promoting The climate is quite favourable at an average of 24 Since its inception in 1968, the Meru show has wishers to partner with the ASK in the development Innovation and Technology in Agriculture and Trade’’ degree centigrade high and low of 9 degree centigrade. continued to grow tremendously. Today, the show is of the show facilities to allow adequate utilization of Livestock parades have been planned this year, with That makes LaikipiaCounty highly recommended for on National Category and a Regional premier event these facilities. Some of the facilities needed include entrants ranging from local small scale farmers, to the persons going on retirement because of its favourable which attracts participants from Marsabit, Isiolo, Perimeter Fence, floodlights, arena sheds with seating large scale farmers and ranchers. A livestock auction will climate. Tharaka Nithi and Larger Meru counties. Considering its terraces and Modern Arena Pavillion. Companies are be the key highlight of the livestock exhibition. Laikipiaaverage life expectancy is 79 years. We have strategic location, theshow is aimed at providing the encouraged to contribute towards these projects on Just for your information only, according to a world witnessed an influx of foreigners taking up opportunities perfect platform for various stakeholders in Agriculture, which they will be allowed to brand for an agreed bank report – Laikipia County is well recognized and to own plots in Laikipia. This makes Laikipia one of Education, Trade and Allied sectors to disseminate period. recommended as a good beef production hub and the best counties to invest in, mainly because of price information, Market products and services to large I wish also to inform the general show visitors and Mr. Francis Gitonga we have a lot of beef cattle to sustain the market affordability, good infrastructure and availability of water population. The show has become a one-stop shop that partners that apart from exhibitions, demonstration Branch Chairman - Nanyuki requirements. for consumption and irrigation. Mr. Stanley Mukaria Maingi brings together the stakeholders on a common platform plots to be visited in the showground, there will be lots Branch Chairman - Meru At a glance, I would like to shed some light on our The economy of Laikipia is vibrant, especially because of to interact and conduct business transactions hence of entertainment in the Arena such as Merry go rounds, t is a great pleasure to welcome you once again to County no 31. Laikipia was founded by British settlers in the large scale farms, ranches, game parks, BATUK, Armed contributing to the development of the economy and bouncing castles, police bands ,choirs and tug of wars. this year’s A.S.K Mt. Kenya Branch Show, Nanyuki, 1907. 60% of Laikipia is owned by ranchers, horticulture Forces among others, which boosts the county’s economy. t is a great pleasure that I welcome all the wellbeing of the local people. Lastly, in organizing Meru National show, we Ithat opens its doors on 23rd – 26th may, 2019. and large scale farmers – pastoralists and subsistence Tourism has seen nanyuki town and its environs register exhibitors and show visitors to this year’s Meru This year, we are delighted to host 120 exhibitors from received tremendous support from the County This year’s show will not be business as usual. Much farming, covers the other bit. development of high class hotels with increase in bed INational show. various sectors that will be represented at show including Government of Meru, our National Chairman Madam preparations have been done with utmost caution. Nanyuki town is situated north of equator- along the capacity to cater for a larger number of guests. The charges The Show runs from 5th to 8thJune 2019 at Gitoro Agriculture, Financial (banks & Sacco’s), Education, Anabel Kiriinya and the Chief Executive Officer Mr. The arena is packed with all sorts of entertainment Great North road making it strategically placed in terms for accommodation and meals are quite affordable. showground, Meru. Health, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Transport, Jua Kali Batram Muthoka, show committee members and ranging from police bands, acrobats, live bands, sports, of business potential. It hosts the Kenya Defence Forces Nanyuki is about 200kms from Nairobi, 80kms from The theme of the show “Promoting Innovation and among others. We wish to thank all these stakeholders Members of staff to whom we are most grateful. God and beauty contests among many others. Our funfair (Laikipia Airbase) and the BATUK (British Army Training Meru, 80kms from Isiolo, 60kms from Nyeri, 200kms from Technology in Agriculture and Trade”. for their continued partnership with us. We are also Bless ASK Fraternity. section is set with all sorts of fun to thrill our kids to the Unit in Kenya base) Nakuru and it is all tarmac for those who would be coming On behalf of show organizing committee, I wish to extremely impressed by the turn up of new exhibitors Karibuni Maonyesho brim. Apart from farming, tourism is another activity that to Nanyuki for the first time. Exhibitors are more this year ready to show case contributes towards its economy. We have game parks Once again, I take this opportunity to welcome you all to what they have in form of new products, new services, and wildlife conservancies within the perimeter of the this year’s show to learn from the various exhibitions and to innovations and technologies that will amaze you. Several town. The bases for climbing Mt. Kenya (second largest enjoy the entertainment that we have prepared for you. companies have also offered to sponsor several groups of mountain in Africa, after Mt. Kilimanjaro) are just within Come one, come all WELCOME TO MACHAKOS SHOW am happy to welcome you to the South Eastern weather conditions that have seen Kenya’s food insecurity WELCOME TO WESTERN KENYA BRANCH SHOW Show that will be held from 26th- 29th June at on the rise. Welcome to 2019 Western Kenya Agricultural Show. to contribute towards food sufficiency and education. IMachakos Showground. I would like to mention that this year’s show promises Thank you for reading the Kenya Farmer Journal. Western New ways are also being developed to help in animal This year’s show will provide a platform for the to enrich you with new technologies as well as enlighten Kenya Branch Agricultural Show has been an annual event husbandry and the care of the environment. Agricultural, Manufacturing, Educational, Trade and other people on various entrepreneurship opportunities in for over 52 years. We hope you will find what interests you Our show has lots of moving parts; volunteers, allied sectors to come together and provide an all under the Southern Kenya region. Most exhibition stands and in order to be part of the Western Kenya branch show. Branch committee, show committee, exhibitors, one roof information to the public. I am proud to mention demonstration plots have been prepared and we are In addition to exhibiting, the Western Kenya show is vendors, visitors, show goers and other visitors. that for the past years, Machakos Show has provided confident that we will have a successful show. a gathering place to connect with professionals, friends No one does this alone, we work as a team. Thank excellent avenue for showcasing modernized products On behalf of the Show Organizing Committee, I want and family. It is a place where we learn about new you all, this couldn’t happen without you. There is and services, improved technologies as well as promote to take this opportunity to invite everyone to the show innovations, technologies and ideas. It contributes to so much to see at this year’s show; entertainment, business to business interactions. and extend my sincere gratitude to the Show Executive our social-economic improvement individually and as a livestock exhibition, amazing technologies and The South Eastern Branch Show-Machakos will this Committee who have worked tirelessly to make the show Western Kenya community. innovations. Experience shows that mid-way life is year run with the same theme “Promoting Innovation and a success. This year’s theme is “Promoting Innovation and about stories and the show is part of many past of Technological in Agriculture and Trade” Lastly, I want to appreciate the County Government Technology in Agriculture and Trade.” future great stories. It also goes without saying that farmers should of Machakos for actively participating in our show, our There is no doubt about the importance of agriculture. We invite you all to visit the show and have fun. On Mr. John Nzala start embracing modern farming technologies, adopt esteemed exhibitors and the ASK National Office for their Mr. Ludovicus Okitoi Technology and innovation is helping us change the way behalf of the Western Kenya Show Branch committee Branch Chairman - Machakos water harvesting and irrigation in agriculture to ensure unending support. Branch Chairman - Kakamega we do almost everything. Many of the new innovations we look forward to seeing you. sustainability in the ever changing and unpredictable Karibuni Maonyesho. and techniques are helping the farmers and community Thanks.
10 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 11 ASK Show Branches 2019 CALENDAR OF EVENTS WELCOME TO MAKUENI SHOW THEME: “Promoting innovation and technology in agriculture and trade” the first show, there were many challenges regarding water storage and the completion of perimeter fence basic infrastructures and organization. However, all scheduled for completion before the show date “Ukuzaji wa uvumbuzi na teknolojia katika kilimo na biashara.” the Agricultural Society of Kenya guided the process scheduled for 13th-15th June 2019. Mobilization of regarding show planning, mobilization of stakeholders stakeholders is top of the agenda. and exhibitors and management of the event. Agricultural demo plots have been established The second show was held between 14th -16th June, by the department and relevant stakeholders and 2018. The number of exhibitor categories were 23 with corporates including KEPHIS, KALRO, Kenya Seed, 97 exhibitors. The attendance also increased to 11,718 Dryland Seed Company among others. Livestock persons. The 2018 show offered a good opportunity to recruitment and relevant vaccinations has been done. farmers, agricultural researchers, traders and services In the on-going preparation, we have expanded providers and relevant stakeholders to enhance trade and membership of show organizing committees by agribusiness. The show coordinating team learnt that the up scaling the role of stakeholders in the show show is faced with challenges due to lack of key structures organization. We have also reached to some of the Mr. Lawrence Nzunga in the show ground. However, in 2019, we have done stakeholders for specific support in staging the show. CEC Agriculture – Makueni proper layout and found out areas to allocate different Sub committees to man the various areas are on course. County (Show Chairman) functions and we have enough space for all stakeholders Finally, mobilization of the show is on-going. We are akueni County identified the need to and exhibitors. collaborating with media houses and local FM stations establish an agricultural show as a forum The preparation of 2019 show began in earnest early to publicize the event and sensitization of farmers and Mto enhance agricultural development in the this year. Key challenges encountered in the previous traders on the essence of the show. I therefore wish county. The first show which marked the ground breaking years are being addressed in readiness for the show. to welcome all the Makueni Residents and the entire of Makueni ASK Satellite show was held at the Makindu Major structural improvements include installation of public to attend in large numbers to benefit from the show ground on 16th July, 2017. In this first show, we had electricity supply, the construction of the show office and show 67 exhibitors and an attendance of 11 400 persons. Being a police post. Other improvements was the expansion of All are welcome.
County Patrons’ Take our people and the entire country will come to Grain Processing Plant valued at Ksh 186 million. The learn farming technologies, interact with various plant will do sorting, grading, polishing and packaging of stakeholders and promote trade and agribusiness. pulses. Since devolution ourgovernment has given On dairy production, the biggest problemwas milk agriculture top priority. Makueni lies in the arid and wastage during glut seasons. To counter the constraint semi-arid southern rangelands. Our agricultural and support growth in the value chain, our government potential is, by and large,able to support fruit supported all 18 dairy cooperatives with milk cooling farming, dry land crops and livestock production. As tanks and the establishment of Kikima and Kathonzweni a consequence, we identified fruit, grains,dairy and milk processing and packaging mini plants. To improve poultryvalue chains for development. breeding services, our government introduced subsidized Our government has invested Ksh. 590 millionto Artificial Insemination (A1) services where a farmer pays establish the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant in order only Ksh. 300 per serving. Our government has invested to reduce post-harvest losses and increase farm gate Ksh.127 million in the dairy value chain. The county prices. So far the plant has purchased 1,974 metric has also established elaborate livestock disease control tons of fresh mangoes processing it to 4,682 drums programmes. Governor, of puree valued at Ksh. 62.5 million. I continue to Our government has also been enhancing food security Makueni County encourage the farmers of Makueni to intensify mango by investing in other extension services, amelioration of production by increasing acreage and productivity. postharvest losses strategies and irrigated agriculture. H.E. Prof Kivutha Kibwana Further I urge farmers to diversify fruit production We have equipped farmer groups with skills and offered elcome to the Makueni Agricultural to other fruits like citrus, passion fruit, avocado, subsidized agricultural machinery services. Farmers are Show that will be held on 13th to 15th paw paw, watermelon for both processing and fresh planting high value crops for export and fresh market. WJune 2019. market. Further, Our government has enhanced indigenous The Government of Makueni County set aside On grains value chain the main problem has poultry, and sheep and goats production to enhance food thirty (30) acres of public land for the purpose of been low farm gate prices. To stabilize the prices our security and household incomes. establishing an Agricultural Show through which government started the construction of an Integrated Karibu to your show.
12 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 13 ASPARAGUS
By KFJ Correspondent
Asparagus is a spring vegetable that’s packed with nutrition. Learning Series Learning When you buy asparagus, either fresh from the market or Fruit Farming Fruit grocery store, it’s best to eat it right away. Asparagus pairs nicely with lots of other spring vegetables and flavours—think Gains peas, garlic or new potatoes. of passion fruit farming 1 cup of cooked asparagus has 40 calories, 4 grams By Fred Omondi of protein, 4 grams of fiber and 404 milligrams of potassium which is good for blood pressure. It also few years ago, Genesio Miriti Market for passion fruits is readily hungry with passion fruits, and I’m no contains asparaptine, which helps improve blood was a casual laborer doing available, but with tomatoes and onions, longer stressed about getting school flow and in turn helps lower blood pressure. If you odd jobs in Tharaka Nithi the farmer who harvests when there is fees or food for my two children,” he A need more reasons to enjoy this yummy vegetable to make a living. However, his tidings a glut in the market can incur losses. adds. read on to see some surprising reasons, it’s so good changed when he started passion fruits This means a farmer has to sell at a Miriti urged young people to venture for you. farming. throwaway price because these are into farming when they are still “I always have some money in my perishable produce. energetic. Explode with vitamins pocket, as long as I have passion fruits The price of a kilo of tomatoes is also “You cannot do much when you are Asparagus is a very good source of fiber, folate, vitamins to harvest,” he says. low compared to that of passion fruits. old, so take advantage of your youth. A, C, E and K, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that The 38-year-old farmer from Iruma A kilo is currently retailing as low as You can do so much with irrigation, enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the location, Mara, said it is now one year Ksh 20, unlike passion fruits, which are but farming needs for one to make bloodstream into cells. That’s good news if you’re watching since he started growing passion fruits, selling at Ksh150. money,” he advises. your blood sugar. and he is enjoying the fruits of his hard “If I go to the market and I’m not He looks forward to recruiting more work. satisfied with the prices of passion farmers, especially young people, to Help fight cancer serves as a natural diuretic, and increased urination not only Miriti has started harvesting the fruits, I can always come back home passion fruit farming. He has a nursery This herbaceous plant—along with avocado and kale is releases fluid but helps rid the body of excess salts. This is fruits, and this will continue for two with them to sell later, when the prices with 10,000 seedlings, which he will particularly rich in glutathione, a detoxifying compound that especially beneficial for people who suffer from oedema (an months. In a good season, Miriti gets are better,” Miriti said. distribute to farmers at the onset of helps break down carcinogens and other harmful compounds accumulation of fluids in the body’s tissues) and those who two crates in two days. He also has fewer expenses as he the rains. like free radicals. This is why eating asparagus may help have high blood pressure or other heart-related diseases. “During off-peak season, a kilo of uses manure, which is obtained, from “If one’s seedlings were ready by protect against and fight certain forms of cancer, such as The most common type of asparagus is green, but you might passion fruits sells at Ksh 150. From his two dairy cows. April, the seedlings will be ready bone, breast, colon, larynx and lung cancers. see two others in supermarkets and restaurants: white, which one crate, I get about Ksh 3,000, and in Appeal to youth for transplanting and in December, Full of Antioxidants is more delicate and difficult to harvest, and purple, which is a month, I can harvest 15 crates, which Miriti is a beneficiary of the Muringa farmers will start harvesting. I will It’s one of the top ranked fruits and vegetables for its ability to smaller and fruitier in flavour. totals to Ksh 45, 000,” he said. Banana irrigation project, which was then be able to look for market or neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. This may help slow the No matter the type you choose, asparagus is a tasty, versatile This is a remarked increase in his started four years ago by the National even a contract to supply to the aging process and reduce inflammation. vegetable that can be cooked in myriad ways or enjoyed raw income considering he used to get less Irrigation Board (NIB) and draws water local supermarket because I will be in salads. than Ksh 10,000 per month from his from Maara and Mutonga rivers. confident that I can meet the demand,” A Brain Booster Keep in mind these cooking tips to preserve antioxidants and casual jobs. Each farm pays Ksh150 a month as he said adding. Another anti-aging property of this delicious spring veggie is keep your preparation healthy: Miriti also grows tomatoes and maintenance fee for utilizing the river Miriti hopes that in the future he will that it may help our brains fight cognitive decline. Like leafy • Roast, grill or stir-fry your asparagus. These quick-cooking, onions to supplement income, but he water. start a company for value addition for greens, asparagus delivers folate, which works with vitamin waterless methods will preserve the fabulous nutritional says they require more work, unlike Through the sprinkler method of his passion fruits and support other B12—found in fish, poultry, meat and dairy—to help prevent content and antioxidant power of asparagus. kfj passion fruits. irrigation, the father of two daughters is passion fruit farmers by buying from cognitive impairment. Source: “Growing tomatoes and onions is able to have a crop throughout the year. them. A Natural Diuretic http://www.eatingwell.com/article/17129/5-powerful-health- risky. Anything can go wrong at any “Without the water, the crop will dry Miriti also hopes to start a company It contains high levels of the amino acid asparagine, which benefits-of-asparagus-you-probably-didnt-know/ time. But with passion fruits, you only and I will only harvest once, unlike now for value addition and buy from other need to spray once to prevent wilting,” when I have harvest. I have money in farmers. kfj Miriti said. my pocket every day and I cannot go
14 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 15 By James Nzasi oshua Mutethia, a former Boda Tea Tree Farming Gaining Popularity Boda rider, set up a team up Jwith friends to set up a dairy in Nanyuki farming group in Murathi village, Meru By James Nzasi County, with the hope of earning more money. oseph King’ori’s fortunes Shortly after setting up the group, changed after he started Upper Tana Natural Resources Dairy Project Jplanting tea trees on his piece Management project (UtaNRMP) of land in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, supported Mutethia’s group with Ksh1, instead of depending on maize and 355,500 to promote the dairy farming Launched in Meru beans farming. and training. Earth Oil and Kenya Organic “The support marked a turning Agriculture Network (KOAN) introduced point in my life and that of the group him to tea tree farming and is now members. The group procured in-calf among the farmers in the area that straw, maize stalks, grass and hay feed concentrates. heifers meaning that the stock doubled earning not less than Ksh 75,000 from to feed their animals because they Mugambi noted the average dairy in a short duration and we started an acre piece of land in the area. This do not have land to grow their own milk production per cow is about 8.3 selling milk,” says Mutehia. income is much higher compared to fodder,” Dr. David Mugambi , milk liters because most farmers were In addition, Mutehia is planning to buy what they obtain from growing maize stakeholder said. relying on poor quality feeds. a three-acre piece of land to expand his or beans Dr. Mugambi further noted that The Maziwa project is expected Inset: cattle in tea tree dairy farm, from the savings he makes This new crop introduction in the due to high cost of production, many to see production of milk double by selling milk at Ksh 40 per liter. . Laikipia County is a project that yield 10 kilos of tea. fertility but not any other crop to prevent farmers preferred selling raw milk from the current 250,000 liters of From the training the group received, is supported by a grant from the “I like this project because the buyer contamination to earn more instead of delivering to milk to 500,000 liters per year. The they opened up accounts with on of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is already in waiting end and the plant During harvesting time, the whole stem processors. project aims at adding value chain SACCO’s based in their area, where they administered by the United Nations is low cost and maintenance. All I need is cut down around 15cm-20cm above “Only 35% of the milk produced by empowering dairy cooperatives to now make regular contribution from the Development Programme (UNDP) and to do is water it maybe once a week and the ground at an angle using bending in Meru goes for processing. Dairy improve the quality of milk, storage milk proceeds to, further invest in their implemented by a local charity, Kenya add manure for good development,” she saw. animal feeds have a significant capacity, training farmers on the lives and farming ventures. Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), says. The central stem is then removed. impact on the milk market,” he said. management of dairy farming and the In a further twist to Mutehia’s and his which partnered with Earth Oil. Drought-resistance nature of tea Branches and leaves are then sold for oil According to the survey, dairy cooperative movement. friends’ good fortunes in dairy farming, Alice Kome started tea tree farming trees and low maintenance cost are extraction. After some time, new shoots farmers in Meru were spending Ksh Some of the dairy cooperatives the Governor of Meru, Kiraitu Murungi following a visit by a team from Earth among the aspects the farmers in the will emerge from where the tree was cut. 30.4 to produce a liter of milk, with identified in the pilot project are: set up the Maziwa project. The aim Oil on a mission to Mirere Village, locality like about planting the trees. All the shoots are left to grow, and the the high cost blamed on hired labor Ngushishi, Kiburine, Mikinduri, Mutuati of this initiative is to empower dairy Laikipia to educate farmers on the “Other plants like maize need water farmer is advised to cut them back after in addition to substantial usage of and North Imenti. kfj farmers in the country to close the benefits of tea trees. but tea trees are drought resistant. I 6 months. poverty gap and improve nutritional To start off, farmers were given don’t have to water all the time but the This is a continuing cycle and Tea Tree status of children. seedlings to plant and the company yields are good,” Kome says. is expected to be highly productive for 25 The implementing partners of the committed to buy plants at Ksh 20 per Tea trees are harvested when they years under good management. project are Italian non-governmental kilo once they were mature.Ms. Kome are four feet tall by cutting the branches The KOAN project and Earth oil organizations: AVSI and IPSIA, which stared off by planting 500 seedlings and leaves.The farmers then avail them Company have been working in several will be the implementing partners of the in a section of her five acres farm. The at collection points where field officers areas of Laikipia County, supporting project. The project is expected to boost plants took one year to mature for first from Earth Oil weigh them and pay farmers to engage in tea tree farming. milk production in which dairy farming time harvests and six months during instantly. According to the popular website has not been pleasant. subsequent harvests.Tea trees she Tea tree matures within 15 to 18 known as Web MD, tea tree (Melaleuca A survey done by Kenya Dairy Board says are low maintenance. months after establishment and alternifolia) has been used traditionally and Egerton University in 20 counties Ms. Kome sells them between Ksh harvested twice per year under good as a tropical antiseptic and antifungal showed that farmers in Meru had the 40,000 and Ksh 80,000 after six management. treatment. Additional uses include lowest gross margin of Ksh 4.6 per liter months. Their weight increases as the The tree requires low labor inputs treating skin infections and warts. of milk despite high net prices. plant grows taller and bigger. and less field management since it is The plants are processed locally to Failure to access cheaper and quality The tea tree thrives in the volcanic not affected by pests and diseases produce oil that is exported to the UK fodder has made dairy farming a loss- soil and high altitudes in this region and is not eaten by domestic animals. for further processing to manufacture making venture for many farmers. near Mount Kenya, Wainaina said. Tea tree can only be inter cropped cosmetics such as deodorant, hydrant, Meru Governor Kiraitu launches the maziwa project “Many farmers are now buying wheat According to Kome, a single plant can with desmodium to enhance soil body spray, and perfumes, among others. kfj
16 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 17 DRONE TECHNOLOGY ASSISTS FARMERS IN MERU with the naked eye thus encouraging precision farming,” explains Prof Bancy By Wahinya Henry Mati, WARREC Director and the project orticulture farmer Patrick hindrance; a condition that has driven critical in his increased yield in the team leader. Gikunda from Githongo growers to adapt small scale irrigation current season. Researcher Mogere says the HVillage, Meru County, like techniques to boost production.” Flying Sensors project, implemented information obtained from the sensors farmers elsewhere, had continued to The approach that has been practiced in Marimba, Githongo and Kibirichia can also help farmers make prompt grapple with challenges that hamper in Meru for more than three decades villages in Meru county, uses drones, to decision regarding applicationof productivity. has had a toll on streams in the county, assess water management and crop irrigation water in various sections of At the beginning all was well until forcing farmers to turn to scientists to health in irrigated fields of cabbage, the field without over-application or availability of water for farming in the find solutions to the problems affecting potatoes and other vegetables. under-application thus ensuring optimal village became a reality over time. The farming in the area, similar to what Mr. What the drones do water usage. quantities of farm produce dwindled Gikunda has been through. A flying sensor is a small drone that The Rota Sprayer technology project as the water levels dropped due to But the introduction of a unique can fly up to 200m above the ground involves a sprinkler that sprays water changing weather patterns. farming technology by the JKUAT’s and take high resolution images in a larger area compared to the A researcherat the Jomo Kenyatta Water Research and Resource Centre utilizing the Near-Infra Red (NIR) conventional sprinklers. University of Agriculture and (WARREC) enabled him to reap more spectrums of light. The images are later The project is being implemented in Technology (JKUAT), Simon Mogere, benefits from his farming venture decoded and the information shared Kaguru and Meru Central. So far, the in collaboration with SNV of the Gikunda who had just harvested with farmers. innovation has proven popular with Netherlandsstationed in the area noted: cabbages became confident that the “Using this technology, farmers can small and medium-sized entrepreneurial “For farmers in Meru, extreme data obtained from the flying sensor discover diseases on plants and stress farmers. weather conditions have been a notable technology applied in the area was indicators which are impossible to see Towards this end, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology’s (JKUAT) Water Research and Resource Centre (WARREC) in Sarah explains how the rota Sprayer irrigation system. Source:www.jkuat.ac.ke collaboration with SNV-Netherlands is implementing two smart water projects popular with small and medium-sized “With this system, I work for two for agricultural purposes in Meru entrepreneurial farmers. hours straight without getting worried County. According to researcher Nagami, about moving my sprinkler system for The projects the Rota Sprayer system operates irrigation,” says Muthamia. The project provided partial at low pressure and applies water The benefits scholarships to two JKUAT post- uniformly within the wetted perimeter In comparison to the drip system, graduate students; Simon Mogere and can cover an area of 100m2 in one regularly used in Kenya, the Rota and Sarah Nagami who worked with application. Sprayer system is less susceptible to Flying Sensors and Rota Sprayers, In addition, the system is simplified, clogging since the boom is made of respectively. easy to assemble, light in weight and aluminum pipes and the outlets are The projects aimed at assessing affordable by the SME farmers. easy to unblock either by flushing the water productivity of crops grown under “The design considerations of the pipes or by using a sharp object to irrigation for smallholder farms besides Rota Sprayer irrigation system makes pierce the outlets. evaluating the technical performance of it a better option especially for the SME “The drip system is highly susceptible the Rota Sprayer irrigation system with farmers who have limited resources. to clogging of the emitters which regards to water application uniformity. For instance, the low operating pressure renders the system non-functional Another technology is the Rota will help the farmers reduce the whenever the emitters are clogged,” Sprayer project. pumping cost. Instead of using a pump, says Nagami. This involves a new type of the farmer can irrigate by gravity, using Although the system has proven sprinkler that sprays water in a larger a raised tank at approximately 3m high,” popular with SME farmers, Nagami area compared to the conventional says Nagami. admits it is a new innovation and needs sprinklers. Nathan Muthamia, a farmer in technical performance evaluation to Initially, the project was to be Tirimiti, Meru says the system has help the farmers achieve optimum implemented in Kaguru and Meru made him work efficiently in the agricultural production through The researchers with the drone that helps gather information that in turn helps farmers as regards land irrigation, Central, an innovation that turned to be relatively dry area. irrigation. kfj
18 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 19 Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries & Irrigation CS Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri when he toured the KEBS stand during last year’s Meru National Show. Looking on is the Meru Branch Chairman Mr. Stanley Mukaria among other officials.
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Agriculture & Irrigation CS, Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri when he toured the Ministry of Health stand at this year’s Eldoret National show. He is accompanied by the governor Uasin Gishu County H.E Hon. Jackson Mandago, Agriculture CAS, Dr. Andrew Tuimur among other County and Society officials.
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Machakos County Governor, H.E Hon. Dr. Alfred Mutua during his tour of the Judiciary The Governor Nairobi County, H.E Hon. Mike Sonko during his tour of the Nairobi City County stand at last year’s Machakos Branch show. He is accompanied by the Society Deputy Stand at last year’s NITF. Looking on is the Society Deputy National Chairman, Madam Edith National Chairman Mr. Jackson Tuwei among other officials. Onzere among other officials.
Embu Governor, H.E Hon. Martin Wambora is given insights on value added products at the AFA stand during the 2019 Embu Branch Show. He is accompanied by the Society Chief Executive Mr. Batram Muthoka, Embu Branch Chairman, Mr. John Mukundi among other Society and County officials. 2
3 4 8 Governor Laikipia County, Hon. Ndiritu Muriithi during his tour of the Nanyuki innovations Kakamega County Governor H.E Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya during his tour of the Department and enterprises development stand observes a walking tractor. Looking on is the Society of Agriculture stand – Fisheries section at a past Kakamega Branch show. Looking on are The CEC, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Dr. Richard Rotich is given insight on new AgroZ fertilizer packaging bags during his tour of the Department of Agriculture stand at a past Kabarnet National Chairman Mrs. Annabella Kiriinya, A.S.K Chief Executive Officer Mr. Batram County and Society officials. Branch show. Accompanying him is Mr. Joel Maina, Chief Officer, Agriculture, Mr. Henry Wafula, County Commissioner, Mr. Silverno Cheptarus, Branch Chairman among other officials. 20 21 Muthoka amongKenya other Farmerofficials. • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Farmers in Tharaka Nithi Shifting from Bananas to Horticulture Farming By Fred Omondi
How Irrrigation management and system has improved water availability
Mwenda sells the eggplants to traders that then export the commodity to Egypt. armers in Meru and Tharaka He has planted eggplants in half an starts by preparing a nursery and after Nithi Counties are shifting acre and since he started harvesting in two months replants the eggplants in of land with the proceeds from the Imenti South Sub county. doing banana farming,” he said. from bananas to horticulture January, he has fetched made nearly the farm and they are ready to harvest F eggplants hence his future plan to He said; “Before the project was Wairangu said the Muringa banana farming. This is because many are now Sh130, 000 from the sale of egg plants. after one month. expand the acreage under eggplants to started in 2012, most farmers depend irrigation project in Tharaka Nithi able to access water for irrigation and “By the time I finish harvesting in He says the price of the eggplants two acres. on rainfed agriculture and many planted County Maara Sub County has three this has doubled their income. March, I will have made a total of depends on the shape and colour, the “I want to uproot the bananas that I maize and beans. We limit a farmer to phases. James Mwenda is one man that has Sh200, 000,” he said to journalists who straight one that are purple in colour are have planted in my one acre land and one acre of irrigation and each farmers “Phase one of the project provides been smiling all the way to the bank had visited his farm in Meru last week. more preferred in the market. plant eggplants and butter nuts. I get pays Sh300 for maintenance.” irrigation to 1400 farm families thanks to his eggplant or commonly Mwenda sells the eggplants to “I have not really exploited the local about sh30, 000 in a month from the The main components of the project irrigating approximately 1500 acres. know as biringanya farming. traders that then export the commodity market because since I started planting sale of bananas yet I can get the same include construction of diversion weir, The project cost a total of Sh207 million “I have been planting egg plants for to Egypt. He is selling a cartoon of egg eggplant, I have been selling them to from the sale of eggplants in a week. I construction of intake box, laying of and abstracts water from Maara River,” five years and compared to bananas, plant at Sh300 but he says the price traders who export the produce. But I started harvesting in December 5 and Main Line approximately 23km and he said. the eggplants fetch better prices. I also can go as high as Sh700 to Sh600 per believe there is a demand in the local harvesting will continue till March,” said installation of sprinkler system at farm The Phase two of the project provides get higher yields from a small portion of cartoon. market that farmers can exploit,” said Mwenda. level (infield system). irrigation to 1000 farm families land,” he said. “In a week, I harvest at least three Mwenda. Irrigation scheme “The project was aimed at enhancing irrigating approximately 1000 acres. He also grows water melon, butter times a day and so far I have harvested There are a few challenges including Eng John Wairangu, from the food security and self-sufficiency, The project was completed at cost of nuts and has a few bananas at his farm about 120 cartoons,” he spoke while diseases but besides planting with National Irrigation Board in Embu said increase the incomes of farmers, and Sh507 million with water from Mutonga in Iringa location. But its is the latter has sorting out the produce ready for the fertiliser and spraying pesticides to the Ithitwe Iraru irrigation project was create employment,” he said. River. turned his fortunes. export market. control frost, the eggplants are labour constructed from July 2013 to June “This was a dry area but now many Phase three, he said, is currently Mwenda is a beneficiary of the Mwenda shifted from maize farming intensive and have good returns. 2015 at cost of Sh67 million. have shifted to horticulture thanks under construction and is expected to Ithitwe-Iraru Water irrigation project in to banana farming before shifting to The father of two said that rainfed 300 farmer families have benefited to irrigation. Most of the farmers use be completed by the end of the year at a Imenti South Sub County which is being horticulture when the irrigation project agriculture is frustrating but with and they irrigate a total of 400 acres. sprinkle irrigation but in future we want cost of Sh224 million. “This is expected implemented by the National Irrigation was established in 2015 and he has irrigation, a farmer can have a crop all The project is located in Iraru and them to change to drip irrigation to to increase area under irrigation by 700 Board. He is able to harvest his crop never looked back. through the year. Ithitwe villages, Kiringa Location in reduce water waste especially for those acres,” said Wairangu. kfj throughout the season. He uses sprinkle irrigation. Mwenda He has been able to buy one care
22 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 23 enya’s premier tea packer, CEO, Lerionka Tiampati said. Turbulence in the international due to drought, it is not anticipated Ketepa, has introduced five KETEPA Releases New “Despite the drought experienced in markets such as economic sanctions that prices will improve significantly Knew varieties of tea under the the last several months, high production imposed on Iran by the USA and high between now and the close of the “Ketepa Pride’ brand, to meet the ever- Varieties of Blended of tea towards the end of last year inflation rates in Egypt also negatively financial year in June 2019. Farmers changing taste and preference of tea continued to dampen the prices. The impacted the tea market. Compared to should therefore expect to receive lower drinkers. drought has recently led to reduced last year, the exchange rate dropped total earnings for their produce this Targeted at the youth, the new the Teas production and we anticipate this 1.6% as the Kenya Shilling strengthened year,” Tiampati added. new varieties - Sleep Easy, Digestive reduction could see prices improve as against the dollar. Tea is traded in the In October 2018, KTDA announced Tea, Immunitea, Heart Chai and Vitalitea feel-good effect. Vilalitea, for instance, less tea volumes are offered for sale” he US Dollar, which is then converted to record income of Kshs85.74 million add on to the wide array of flavoured is prepared from a variety of forest added. KES. from the sale of tea supplied by KTDA Feature KTDA Ketepa teas that are already in the berries including blackberry, blueberry, The average price of KTDA teas in the Other tea producing countries such smallholder tea farmers. A total of market. cherry and strawberry, and promises to first nine months of 2018/19 sharply as India also reported higher tea Kshs62.35 billion (representing 74% “Our product innovations are driven instantly lift the drinker’s mood. dropped to USD 2.62 per kg from USD production in 2018 adding to global tea of income) was paid out to farmers as by thechanging consumer taste and Kenya consumes about 5 percent of 3.25 for the corresponding period of stocks which pushed prices down. monthly and second payments. preference. The new products are the total tea produced in the country 2017/18. “Despite the reduction in production trendy and customizedfor personal with 95percent being exported. As styles especially among the youth,” a traditional beverage, tea faces Ketepa MD Mr Albert Otochi said. stiffcompetition from other beverages “We also want to encourage more such as coffee and cocoa. KTDA Inks Ksh3.5bn Fertilizer consumption of tea among our youth, Ketepa hopes to boost its revenues who, according to statistics, prefer with the new products, while further Financing Deal with StanChart other beverages other than tea. We increasing its market share on the want to make tea cool again,” he added. country. Other household Ketepatea TDA has signed a Ksh3.5 The new varieties come in the form brands include Fahariya Kenya, Safari billion financing deal with of herbal infusions that promise to Pure, Ketepa Pride black tea and Standard Chartered Bank treat the drinker’s taste buds with flavoured teas andMaisha purified K New Ketepa flavours Kenya for purchase of 95,000 tonnes scintillating flavors, for an irresistible drinking water. of NPK fertilizer to be distributed to smallholder tea farmers across the country. umulative green leaf The deal will see over 650,000 production for smallholder KTDA Tea Production Rises farmers who own the 69 factories that Ctea farmers under Kenya KTDA manages benefit from supply Tea Development Agency (KTDA) as Prices Hit 5-Year Low of NPK 26:5:5 fertilizerthrough the rose to 868.9 million kilos in the first arrangement. nine months of the 2018/19 financial KTDA Group Chief Executive Officer, year (July 2018 to March 2019), amid Lerionka Tiampati, said that the move a19.5% drop in tea prices over the same will help farmers access affordable period. fertilizer that will go towards improving This compares to 824.8 million the quality and yield of their tea. kilos of green leaf delivered to KTDA- “This partnership will enable managed factories in the first nine us acquire fertilizer which will be months of the previous year FY (July distributed to our farmers at the most 2017 to March 2018). However, the competitive rates we can obtain. The month of March 2019 recorded a fertilizer will assist farmers improve the decline of 25% compared to a similar yield and quality of their green leaf.” KTDA Group Chief Executive Officer, Lerionka Tiampati (left) exchanges month in 2018. Procurement of the fertilizer in bulk documents with Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited chief executive officer, “The increased production during has enabled KTDA-affiliated farmers Kariuki Ngari following the signing of a fertilizer purchase financing agreement the nine-month period was largely to access the key input at significantly on 14th may, 2019. The deal will see over 650,000 farmers benefit from supply attributed to the reliable rainfall lower prices below market rates as of fertilizer by ktda at the most competitive rates. experienced in tea growing areas they leverage on economies of scale. late into 2018, as well as intensified In 2018, the small scale farmers market of Ksh2700. bushes owned. On average, a 50kg bag sustainable agricultural practices such purchased the fertilizer at Ksh1774 The quantity of fertilizer a tea farmer of fertilizer is applied to 700 bushes at as fertilizer application,” KTDA Group for a 50kg bag against the prevailing gets is dependent on the number of tea the onset of short rains.
24 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 25 threat of human activities and riverbeds.The result is the widespread farmers trained on climate smart encroachment of riparian land.This is a availability of clean water,”Mbithi production of priority value chain Rejuvenating Vital Sectors major cause of drying river beds in the mentions. commodities. area. In response to this situation, the Collaborative investment and With the farmer organization DryDev has partnered with Miindu to collective gains approach in place, successful in Rural Economies roll out several key activities aimed at Community members are now implementation of programme reversing this worrying trend. venturing into bee keeping and interventions is expected to create Daniel Mbithi is the chairman of the cultivation of high-value food crops a production system likened to a association which comprises of over like tomatoes and kales. Besides, the ‘conveyor belt’ that converts farms 800 members, drawn from different once flourishing livestock sector is set into food production sites seamlessly groups, covering approximately to make a comeback after receiving linked tomarkets and vice-versa. This
Drylands Development 100km2of agricultural land.He is a major boost from the growing of way, the rural drylands will attract three counties, have been instrumental enforcement. Riparian lands remain confident that the interventions put in pasture on once bare river banks and significant agricultural, commercial in supporting centralized marketing relatively unprotected from poor place by the programme will not only community livestock watering points. and environmental conservation which is essential for reducing market agricultural practices, infrastructural help in the restoration of ecosystem According to the latest data investment. transaction costs per individual development,and logging. health but also stimulate growth in the provided by World Vision Kenya, 5.5 DryDev is a five year initiative and collective land management In Kenya, the Water Act 2016 agribusiness sector. hectares of riverine land has been that began in the year 2013. It is activities. This is expected to enhance advocates for local level participation “By walking hand in hand with reclaimed within Machakos County. implemented in Kitui, Makueni and the resource base for increased and in water management to ensure the DryDev, we have partnered on Furthermore, over 1219 farmers Machakos counties of Kenya and sustainable production. sustainable water use. Water several initiatives.These include: the were supported to develop nine Sub four other countries in Africa. The Integrated participatory planning conservation activities within the construction of sand dams, terraces Catchment Management Plans (SCAPs) programme is funded by the Ministry On account of this, the Dry Dev sub-catchments are implemented by and the planting of indigenous tree providing guidelines for restoration of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands programme has adopted farmer Water Resources Users’ Associations species and pasture to protect riparian and conservation of water resources. with supplementary support from World organizations as the heart of the (WRUAs) under the supervision of the lands. With the help of the community Subsequently, 16 and storage dams, Vision Australia (WVA) with the World delivery model for promoting Water Resources Authority (WRA). and local administration, commercial serving approximately 3200 farmers, Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) being the By Danyell Odhiambo innovations. This is by closely working WRUAs are associations constituting sand harvesting has been banned on have been constructed and 1546 lead implementing agency. kfj he once under productive with farmer organizations to identify of water users and riparian land rural landscapes of the lower agribusiness options that are both owners who have come together for Teastern region of Kenya are market and community-driven for ease the purposes of cooperatively sharing, rapidly transforming into magnets of upscaling. managing and conserving a common of thriving agribusiness and land The first step towards realizing this water resource. restoration activity. This is through began with the community action Helping secure the future for WRUA TDA has launched a smart securely, which improves efficiency. an ongoing initiative by the Drylands planning (CAP) exercise in 2015. communities card for farmers to curb theft The chip-enabled card stores a Development (Dry) Programme, that is This comprised of series of multi- Through the CAP process, DryDev has Kand weight falsification as farmer’s name, grower number and the hinged on farmer organizations, seeking stakeholder engagement forums where plugged into the ongoing government it promotes efficiency in its managed buying centre which the farmer delivers to enhance food and water security in context-specific interventions about efforts to protect natural resources factories. tea. Machakos, Kitui and Makueni Counties. sub-catchment and on-farm soil and by embarking on capacity building The smart card, part of ongoing A farmer is required to produce the innovations dubbed “Electronic card when weighing tea. A receiving Why adopt a farmer organization water management, value chain options initiatives that support communities Weighing Solutions Phase 2 (EWS clerk will then swipe the card to capture model? and learning priorities were identified. todevelop action plans. This joint Phase 2), provides growers and the and store data and then give the farmer Farmer organizations provide This initiative targeted to develop Sub- process has inspired the review factory with a secure way of storing a printed receipt. Upon subscription, a the ‘missing cog’required to drive catchment Action Plans with a specific and development of sub-catchment data when used at the buying centre. farmer will get an instant text message sustainable rural development, focus on the needs, challenges,and management plans addressing the Using the card, a farmer is able to the confirming the volumes of tea delivered. particularly, in the agricultural-based opportunities within project intervention needs identified in the action plans. exact weight of tea that delivered at the The card is an improvement from the economies. They are essential sub locations. This strategy presents a sustainable buying centre, as well as total weight current system as it reduces the time institutions for the empowerment and Collaborative land restoration option of fostering a greater sense of of tea delivered on a daily and monthly taken to weigh green leaf at the buying advancement of farmers and the rural Water scarcity and rapid land communal responsibility, to improve basis. center. It also avoids instances where poor. Moreover, being associated degradation is a major impediment river ecosystem health. KTDA Launches The card is connected to secure data may be wrongly entered into the with farmer organizations increases to development in the three dryland Miindu is one of the WRUA’s servers at the factory which safely account of a different farmer. the likelihood that the community counties, hence current efforts incorporated in this community-driven Smart Card store each farmer’s data ontea weights, A farmercan make inquiries about needs and opinions are heard by policy have been geared towards the integrated framework. Like other which ensures that farmers are paid for With Eye on their account from anywhere using their makers and development partners. conservation and protection of riparian WRUAs spread across the region, the exact volumes of tea delivered. Data phone without necessarily visiting the The farmer organizations in the land through collaborative policy Miindu remains under the constant is also transmitted faster and more Efficiency factory.
26 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 27 Smart Crops Cushion Farmers Against model farmers but also to produce high valuetraditional crops since drought tolerant crops have proved to one of Being Food Insecure the best ways of mitigating effects of climate change ‘’ It is up to Kenyan agricultural By Wahinya Henry stakeholders to remove cultural myths osephat Mavindya Kiio is which impede production of ‘orphan a farmer in Lower Eastern crops’ especially sorghum, millet and parts of the three counties pearl millet since the food from the
Beating the Drought Beating J produce is no longer for the poor’’, said of Machakos, Kitui and Makueni - the expansive and dry region of greater Dr. H. Ojalong. Ukambani and he is not moved by the In Wote, the headquarters of current ravaging drought conditions. Makueni County, Africa Harvest has The reason is because he chose to been promoting a similar initiative with plant traditional crops that do well in Cecilia Kyalo, a mother, farmer and the the dry region. chairlady of a self-help group within Rainfall levels in December were Wote taking the lead. too low to reverse the dry spell and Mbukilye Ngukilye brings together these counties in Arid and Semi-Arid more than 35 women and has been in Lands (ASALs) will bear the brunt of the existent for nearly 20 years. Members drought. meet to share ideas on sustainable Despite escalating food shortage farming and also, from time to time, get being reported in lower eastern region trained by the Ministry of Agriculture. caused by strained rains, it is bumper “Ukambani was not always as dry as harvest for farmers of smart crops that it is today,” says Cecilia. “There was a are drought tolerant. time the rains never failed. Today, the Farmers who planted traditional rains sometimes come once or twice a crops like sorghum, millet, pigeon peas ICRISAT Breeder Dr. Henry Ojalong admire sorghum plants in Kitui county. The year. Even then, they are not sufficient organization is promoting production of smart crops in lower eastern region and green grams have received high for farming. Ukambani is associated yields compared to those who planted with the tough time. We are known for maize and beans which dried up before stressed. drought and food aid”, Cecilia said reaching maturity. The production of these crops Although she does not say it, Mr. Kiio of Kiomo-Kyethani village has over time declined due to the deforestation has definitely fueled the says he expects to harvest 20 bags inadequate availability of planting negative effects of climate change. of sorghum this season in addition to materials, low interest by seed “Still, farmers insist on planting maize. improved variety of pigeon peas. companies to multiply the seeds due Even when they get nothing from ‘’ The maize and beans crops which to low demand and change of eating maize, they still plant maize,” she says. Farmers admire sorghum crops in Josphat Mavindya’s farm in Mwingi West Sub-county. I had inter-cropped with sorghum and habits among other reasons. “Although everyone knows sorghum pigeon peas withered long time ago ICRISAT has so far reached an does better in this area, I don’t know after the rains disappeared but the harvest every season which he sells has been promoting production of Six years ago the government estimated 6,000 farmers and hope to why everyone insists on maize. Maybe sorghum and millet persevered and I to buy maize and beans for domestic smart crops under ‘ feed the future’ embarked on a plan to promote the reach 10,000 farmers in the project sorghum is seen as a poor-man’s crop”. will be harvesting the produce anytime consumption. programme with a funding from growing of drought tolerant traditional area before the end of the programme What about Cecilia, does she plant from now’’, he told farmers who had ‘’ Continued farming of conventional United States Agency for International crops as a way of mitigating food in two years. sorghum. She smiles. “When I started visited his farm during a field day that crops which require much rain in this Development (USAID). insecurity. ‘’ Farmers adaption rate is very farming sorghum it was for chicken was organized by International Crops area only helps in marginalizing us ‘’ The aim is to bring the farmers out “Many of the crops that initially had encouraging as they are sure of getting feed. Ugali made from maize has Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics in food security but traditional food of the cocoon of conventional farming disappeared from our food stores have enough food for consumption and sale’’, been a staple food for as long as I can (ICRISAT). production is the way to go as one must of maize and beans that have failed due come back. Farmers who had initially said Mutai adding that the farmers are remember and change did not come He said, after studying the weather harvest something even if the rains are to unpredictable weather pattern and run away from cassava, sweet potatoes being educated on different ways of easily”. pattern in the area, he started paying short’’, says Kiio. encourages them to plant nutritious and green grams have come back adding value to the traditional food to The perceptions towards sorghum more attention to drought resistant The story is the same in Makueni and ‘orphan crops’ that withstand drought’’, and believed that these are important improve their levels of income. are now changing because of the extra crops and he does not fail to make good Tharaka-Nithi counties where ICRISAT says Geoffrey Mutai. sources of food in our country,” he Farmers are trained not only to role income farmers got from sorghum. kfj
28 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 29 or no yields at all.” in Kenya, covering an area of 9,462 km the project stated but it dropped to Laikipia Farmers Doubling Their Yields He says the technology is also labour square. 30% when the project ended in 2016 intensive and he spends less time “We introduced the farming technique due to competition of crops and preparing his farm using a hand ripper because this is a dry area which is livestock and the lack of trust from Thanks To Conservation Agriculture and this takes less time compared to water scarce and prone to soil erosion farmers. By Fred Omondi the conventional method of farming. hence low production. But through “Another major contributing He has more time to to work on his conservation agriculture, farmers have factor was the lack of conservation tree nursery income generating venture been able to improve the soil fertility agriculture farming equipment as which is also a hobby. and enhance production,” says Kuria. they are not readily available in the Capacity building About 2,400 farmers have been local market. But this has since been Peter Kuria from the African trained since 2013 with focus on 12 addressed by a service provider- Conservation Tillage Network says farmer groups each with an average Kendat Agrimech Business Hub who farmers in Laikipia County are of 20 farmers. Through a four-year supplies modern CA equipment to multiplying their yields and doubling project on Conservation Agriculture for farmers at an affordable fee. their profits thanks to conservation Resilient Food Security and Profitability The project has been working agriculture. The technology, Kuria says, in Machakos and Laikipia Counties of closely with the County Governments has also enhanced soil fertility. Kenya, another 8,000 farmers have through the extension officers for Laikipia County is found between Mt. been reached indirectly through farmer sustainability of the project and they Kenya and the Aberdare ranges and it is field days. are targeting to reach about 10,000 among the arid and semi-arid counties The adoption rate was at 40% when farmers in Lakipia County. kfj
t is a rough murky ride to Mitero children. neighbourhood, Mzee Githaiga decided village, in Laikipia County where “I could barely get enough food for to adopt conservation agriculture after IMzee Simon Githaiga lives with my family. I had to rely on my dairy the training in 2014. his wife and young daughter. farming and tree nursery to to buy food “I wanted to try out something new His homestead is abuzz with workers and educate my children,” he says. to see if I could increase my yields. I constructing a stone house, and the Low-cost farming technique had started giving up on growing maize change of livelihood is obvious from But this changed thanks to and during the training we had been the old-looking wooden house to the conservation agriculture, a low-cost assured of better yields if you go the beautiful modern stone-house. Mzee farming technique. In 2014, Mzee was conservation agriculture way,” he says. proudly tells us that it is the fruit of his among farmers that were trained on Mzee Githaiga can now harvest two handwork in the farm. conservation agriculture by the African bags of maize from the ten by ten feet He grows maize and beans in his Conservation Tillage Network with potion and even during a bad season, three acre farm, and until 2014, Mzee support from the Alliance for a Green he still gets some yields unlike his Githaiga could only harvest half a bag Revolution in Africa. neighbours who are yet to adopt the or one bag of 90kg maize from his Conservation agriculture is based technology. farm. He says he had to rely on his tree on three principles; minimal tillage, “You would rather grow maize in a nursery venture to sustain his family permanent soil cover and crop rotation. small potion and get good yields than and pay school fees for his seven Unlike other farmers in his grow maize in a big farm and get little
30 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 31 lead to a complete loss of crops and is generating some extra income for advocating for finger millet. once it’s in a farmer’s field, it is nearly her family. Farmers like Wanyonyi have “We’ve been working hard to promote impossible to eradicate. developed value-added processed finger millet. We think it’s an ideal crop, In an interview, Dr Odeny said the products and that has helped to particularly because of its nutritional Sh78 million project started in 2015. increase the demand for finger millet. value and the unfolding negative The first phase of the project However, supply isn’t keeping pace, as impacts of climate change,” Oduori says By Wahinya Henry was undertaken at a budget of there remain a few barriers to overcome said. s a child growing up in US$430,000 said Odeny. The next before more farmers’ plant finger millet. Most finger millet varieties are Kakamega County, Western phase will be undertaken in two years The project Dr Odeny has been susceptible to blast disease, which can AKenya, Dr. Damaris Achieng – until September 2020 at a cost of working on is a collaborative effort infect the crop at any stage of growth Odeny ate finger millet ‘uji’ and ‘ugali’ U$350,000, she said. by scientists drawn from International from the seedling to the grain formation but only on special occasions According to Odeny, the finger millet Crops Research Institute for the stage, and Striga, which is a sap- “We weren’t able to eat it daily, is adapted to several ecological zones Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT, Maseno sucking parasite. because it was scarce and therefore and is widely grown in Tanzania, University and Kenya Agricultural “Our improved varieties like Maridadi expensive. That’s unfortunate, because Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zaire, Zambia, Livestock Research Organization are less vulnerable to blast and Striga, it is a traditional crop.” Zimbabwe, Eriteria and Somalia. (KALRO) but they are not fully resistant yet,” said During the first two decades after Outside Africa, the millet is grown in It’s is funded by the Crop Wild Dr Oduori. Kenya’s independence in 1963, the Asia, China, Myanmar, Nepal Bhutan Relaives (CWR) initiative, a global, Dr Oduori hopes that losses due to Researchers Promise Farmers and Sri Lanka. 10-year project, supported by the blast and Striga can be minimized by Kenyan government singled out maize as a major food staple and started Improved Finger Millet Variety A farmer can harvest three tons Government of Norway. finding wild relatives of finger millet that providing incentives to farmers to on acre piece of land but an average The Crop Trust, an international have resistance to them. plant it. The farmers followed the farmer typically harvests an average of non-profit organization charged with “Finger millet is one of 19 crops we government’s advice and soon finger 1.5 conserving and making available crop are supporting via our pre-breeding ate finger millet.” the variety will be drought, striga and millet became a minor crop. Most Kenyans eat finger millet diversity in gene banks, manages the projects,” says Dr. Benjamin Kilian, a “Finger millet really is a powerhouse tolerant to blast disease. The scarcity disappointed Odeny, primarily as ugali. initiative. “This project involves working scientist with the Crop Trust. “Our aim of health-benefiting nutrients,” Odeny “We still do not have a good variety an annoyance that pushed her to But farmer Pascilisa Wanyonyi from with crop wild relatives (CWR) of is to introduce beneficial traits from said. “We’re very committed to getting it of finger millet that is resistant to do something to restore cultivation Kakamega has been working to create finger millet since some of those have their wild relatives into cultivated crops back into the daily diet of East Africans Striga, said the senior scientist and of finger millet in a big way, a other finger millet food products and is developed tolerance to either blast or so they are more resilient to climate and not just as a food for special global theme leader biotechnology in determination that now has placed her marketing a snack called “crackies”. Striga,” said Odeny, who is the principal change.” occasions. “The finger millet project is Eastern and Southern Africa ICRISAT in a position to ensure farmers who “I started planting finger millet in investigator of the finger millet pre- “With climate change we will see focusing on screening wild finger millet headquarters at Gigiri, Nairobi, Dr grow finger millet in the lake region reap 2009,” Pascilisa said. “It is much more breeding project. even greater outbreaks of pests and and traditional land races for resistance Damaris Achieng Odeny adding: benefits of increased incomes from an nutritious than maize and good not only “We are delighted with the progress diseases due to weather extremes. We’ll to Striga, blast disease and tolerance to “But we have identified wild relatives improved finger millet variety. for humans but for our livestock.” shown by the team during Phase 1,” see more Striga, for example, if climate drought,” Odeny said. of finger millet that are resistant to Odeny, a plant geneticist and the Wanyonyi wanted to go beyond the said Dr Benjamin Kilian, the Crop Wild change leads to drier conditions,” Oduori Finger millet can be grown at Striga. We will use them to introduce daughter of a sugarcane grower, is now traditional uses of finger millet and Relatives Crop improvement work of says. altitudes ranging from sea level to this trait into farner-preffered varieties.’ leading the effort to bring finger millet create value-added processed products finger millet is important due to the Oduori hopes that losses due to over 2000 metres above sea level, Finger millet is highly valued for its back. than can be sustainably produced. millet’s high nutritional and health Striga can be minimised by finding can withstand drought, and has high nutritional qualities and recognized as She is leading the finger millet pre After some experimentation in the qualities. The high levels of calcium, wild relatives of finger millet that have levels of essential amino acids and a smart food yet production of finger breeding project which aims to re- kitchen, she adopted “crackies” from the iron and amino acids in finger millet resistance to this as well as pests and micronutrients millet remains below its potential. introduce genetic diversity into the diverse products she was exposed to. make it exceptionally nutritious. diseases. Wild finger millet is native to the Farmers claim that the two key cultivated crop which has been lost Crackies are deep-fried crispy It is an ideal food for diabetics since In Kenya, it is used for making foods Ethiopian and Ugandan highlands. constraints to increased production from its wild relatives. noodles made primarily of finger millet it has high amounts of slowly digestible like ugali, a thin stiff porridge, and She says the variety will at the same are the blast disease and a parasitic It’s the finger millet on the plate but supplemented with soy and wheat starch and resistant starch that busaa, a local brew. time contribute to reduction of high weed called Striga. “Blast is the most which attracted another farmer of flour. “Crackies is a very nutritious contribute to a slow release of sugar in Oduori hopes that soon the crop will poverty levels when a new variety she destructive disease of finger millet” said Kakamega County. Finger millet is a snack. The children love them,” to the bloodstream. stage a comeback in Kenya after being and a team of researchers working on Dr Henry Ojulong, a cereals breeder at very healthy food, a fact that farmer Wanyonyi said. In fact, a very important Odeny has been is working closely largely replaced by maize and sorghum. is released into the market in four years ICRISAT. Margaret Kubende learned 25 years ago Kenyan loves them as well with Dr. Chrispus Oduori, a finger millet “Finger millet is extremely nutritious time. “Blast can occur at all stages of plant the hard way. In April of 2018 she served her breeder and the director of the Kisii and grows well in a wide range The variety will be released at the growth and can affect the leaves, neck, In 1993, I became a diabetic,” said crackies to President Uhuru Kenyatta Centre of Food Crops Research Institute of locations, including marginal conclusion of an eight-year multi million and fingers.” In Kenya, blast can cause Margaret. “I had to change my diet who campaigned on a platform that no (FCRI) of KALRO, the Kenya Agricultural environments,” Oduori says. “Many study launched in Western and Nyanza an estimated average yield loss of to keep my blood sugar levels down. Kenyan should ever go hungry. and Livestock Research Organisation. farmers are recognizing finger millet as regions of the country. about 30 percent. Maize and wheat were not good for me, Wanyonyi has developed packaging Like Damaris, Oduori hails from a smart food and are now planting it Researchers involved in the study say Striga, a sap-sucking weed, can but I knew I could improve my health if I and branding for her crackies ,which Western Kenya and has spent a lifetime again.” kfj
32 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 33 kind of water tank, constructed under the sand to harvest water from a sand Sand Dams Guarantee Machakos dam. He adds that once sand begins heaping up on the river course, the Farmers Water and Food water table begins to rise which make it easier to sink a shallow well on the By Leopold Obi upstream for users who cannot access rying rivers and undulating the sand dams. fields of fruits trees and He however notes that one does not thickets stretching far into the just wake and start building a sand dam D across a river. distance are a common sight in the hilly
Beating the Drought Beating Machakos County. The engineer says that after a dam But about 15 years ago, the rivers is designed on paper it is taken to were not as degraded as they are Water Resources Authority (WRA) for today locals say. Instead, they used approval. The design, he further says, to flow uninterrupted all year round, Dorcas Musyoka, a farmer in Machakos should only retains 2 per cent of the until droughts and uncontrolled sand water so that downstream users do not location, observed that they can sandy surface harvesting became rampant, robbing go without the water. comfortably produce vegetables The farmers use generators to pump the streams of their capacity to hold “For every sand dam we have a despite prolonged droughts, thanks the water out of the water sump into water. shallow well. But compared to sand to the sand dams’ water harvesting their crop fields or use containers to Since life had to go on, the residents dam which has poor water quality, a technologies. draw the water for domestic use. of the drought stricken county had to shallow well and a water sump have About two years ago they started “In some cases where sand dams rely on their own indigenous knowledge very clean water, can be used directly a farmers group where they grow have been constructed across a river to quench their thirst by drilling water in for domestic use. The only chlorination vegetable such as kales and tomatoes one can see heaps of sand and a pool the beds of dead rivers. or boiling to be used is for drinking in a green house. They bought a water of water, but in others one only sees The biggest challenge however was water,” explains Muli. tank, drip irrigation kits and a generator heaps of sand yet water is underneath that the drilled water trickled out faintly He however reckoned that water which pumps the water to the tank them,” the farmer explained. forcing locals to strictly ration it for sanitation and hygiene has been before it flows from the tanks into Joseph Muli, a water engineers at everyone to have a share. missing in the water provision process. the drip kit via gravity to water the Utooni Development Organization, says “We would dig about a 2 metre deep “Sand dams are open to water vegetables. They also planted the crops they have so far done 1,655 sand dams hole into the sand before we could pollution and contamination because on the open fields both as a group and in the expansive Ukambani region over strike water,” explains Dorcas Musyoka, locals bathe and do their laundries and individuals. the last 10 years, with funding from a farmer in Machakos, “after the water also directly water their livestockin the The farm produce are locally sold different stakeholders including APA was found, one had to endure long rivers. The local communities still need in the fast growing neighboring Masii Insurance. queues before he could tap a 20 litre sensitization on water, sanitation and Town. He explains that a water sump is a jerry can.” hygiene,” he says. kfj “No one could dream of growing After years of water scarcity, which vegetables here due to scarcity of worsened during drought seasons, water. But with the support from Utooni several innovations came up to Development Organization, a local address the crisis by building on the NGO, and APA Insurance company we community’s existing indigenous constructed a sand dam, a water sump knowledge of harvesting water under and a shallow well which now carter for the sandy riverbed. A farmer drawing water from a water sump our water needs, ”explained the farmer. Construction of underground pits He also added that they have since which are sank in a river to collect The sand dam technology is believed enable green economic growth in the become very strict on sand harvesting underground water –also known as to be indigenous to Kenya, though it Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) after knowing that the sand keeps the ‘mivuko’– are among the technologies is now being used in other countries Ms Musyoka notes that, with the water, he says. which the locals are now relying on for around the world, from Zimbabwe to adoption of the sand dam technologies, The farmer who grows tomatoes and getting domestic and irrigation water. Brazil and Thailand among other places. locals no longer have to scramble kales on small scale irrigation explains This technology is one component The technology is believed to offer a for water since the commodity is that whereas some rivers might look of sand damming. Others include cost-effective and sustainable solution abundantly available at any hour of the to mitigate the impacts of climate day. dry and filled with sand on the surface, Francis Kaunda irrigating vegetables. He draws water a shallow well at the bed of construction of sand dams across the Enguli River. there is a lot of water underneath the streams, and sinking of shallow wells. change, desertification of drylands and Kioko Kitenga, a farmer in Masii
34 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 35 small scale farmers are yet to utilize Smart Agriculture Project and the “Quite simply, new technology has the the opportunities that come with such National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive ability to transform Kenya’s agricultural technologies. Growth Project. “We hope all these sector,” said Jeehye Kim, Agricultural There is need to fully utilize this technologies will make farming easier Economist at the World Bank Group. Disruptive promising technological capacity in and increase productivity”, Dina Umali- “Other industries like telecoms and order to offer agricultural solutions Deininger, Practice Manager at World transportation have already shown By Wesley Lang’at Agricultural Technology in terms of farms input supplies, off- Bank Said. technology’s ability to radically disrupt farm activities, logistic processing and In this regard, agricultural innovation the status quo, and now it is time n Kenya, Agriculture is the main packaging among other processes technology is a vital tool towards for Kenya’s farmers to harness this
Agritech contributor to the attainment within the various value chains. providing solutions to the problems that potential also.” the Big 4 Agenda which I The World Bank Group and other are bedevilling the agriculture sector in Disruptive Agricultural technology include:housing, manufacturing, food development partners organized a Kenya as its population is expected to has a great potential in engaging nutrition and security and universal technological challenge competition grow to about 85 million people by the actively on practical and going forward healthcare that are spearheaded by the to identify Kenya’s most promising year 2030.In his welcoming remarks actionable solutions for transforming government. AgriTech innovations with the aim of at disruptive agricultural technology Kenya’s agriculture and addressing Smallholder farming provides getting one million Kenyan farmers challenge and conference that was the challenges that are faced by the employment of up to 75% of Kenya’s onto a digital platform in the next three organized by World Bank in Nairobi farmers in Kenya, in particular and the population and 80% of the food years. early May, 2018, World Bank Country entire Africa, in general. production but still faces enormous The “One Million Farmer Initiative” director saidthatAgriTech innovations “We need to bring the creative type challenges ranging from climate valued approximately at US $ 500 offer a unique opportunity to create of tech-savvy youths to run these change, inadequate market information million, will be part of the World Bank’s high quality jobs all along the agri food systems”, Prof.Micheni Ntiba, the and lack of access to farm inputs, two major agriculture development value chains, stimulate farmers’ centred Principal Secretary-Fisheries, Ministry among others initiatives in Kenya, the Kenya Climate technological innovations and enhance of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Kenya is the leading innovation agricultural productivity. Irrigation commented. hub in the Sub Sahara Africa with kfj approximately 30% of AgriTech start- Distruptive Agricultural ups in the continent operating in Kenya. Technology challenge participants SPONSORS OF ASK SHOWS Despite Kenya being in the centre of all Eldoret Show Embu Show these technological innovations, many
County Government County Government of Uasin Gishu of Embu
Nanyuki Show Meru Show
County Government County Government BATUK of Laikipia of Meru
Kakamega Show Machakos Show
County Government County Government of Kakamega of Machakos
36 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue 37 Research a ‘great fortherapid opportunity believes thatTelenomusremus provides of researchers from seven countries, (CABI), wholedaninternational team Agriculture andBioscienceInternational and invasion ecologyattheCentre for succeed inthecountry. control technologyagainstthepest pesticides purchases shouldthebio- by cuttingbackonpooryieldsand farmers standto benefitsignificantly in America according . to experts successfully to tacklefallarmyworms insect leadingto thehost’s death. development withinthebody ofanother an insectthatcompletesitslarval egg parasitoid. eliminated usingTelenomus remus, an –between 2017and2018–couldbe bags ofmaize valued atKsh120billion Kenya anannuallossof40million pests whosedevastations caused scientists have discovered that the massive population. wipe outanentire fielddue to their plants’ pith,munchthecrops andeasily they wouldtuckthemselves insidethe among themostaffected by thepests. Kisumu andNandicountieswere Busia, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, fields. control mechanism,descendedontheir the ravenous pest,whichhadnoknown countries incurred massive lossesafter and across 12African maize-producing combat thedeadlycaterpillars. discovered anefficientmethod to Scientists DiscoverFor NewRemedy Fall Armyworms of By LeopoldObi Dr Marc Kenis, headofriskanalysis Scientists are optimisticthatlocal The technologyisalready beingused An eggparasitoid isbasically But aftermonthsoftireless research, Once thecaterpillarsinvaded afarm, Farmers inKakamega,Bungoma, maizeof Thousands Kenyafarmers in F 38 Kenya Farmer • fall armywormafterscientists to abouttheinvasive worry armers mightnolongerhave May/June Issue weed inKrugerNationalPark. it isbeingusedto control thecactus from SouthAfrica wherebeing imported introduced inthearea by CABI after Opuntia stricta.Thebugwas also to control theinvasive cactusweed, known ascochinealisbeingused called Dactylopiusopuntiae,commonly County for,where asap-suckingbug ofthecountry,in parts like inLaikipia control methodsare already beenused fall armyworm,” hesays. pest managementtechnologiesagainst deploy proven, sustainableintegrated pesticides, andto develop, promote and use ofhighlyhazardous synthetic week. published inthejournalInsects last South Africa, according to astudy Benin, Coted’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigerand the presence ofTelenomusremus in tomorphological observations confirm have analysisand usedDNA as abiologicalcontrol agent.” Southern Africa andcanreadily beused parasitoid isalready inWest, Eastand Kenis, “our discovery showedthatthe interest are parasitoids,” says Dr. several Africancountries.Ofparticular natural enemiesoffallarmywormin agent’ forfallarmyworminAfrica. deployment ofabiological control Maize infested with amryworm The mainchallenge isthenew Meanwhile, otherformsofbiological to discouragethe “It isimportant The international teamofresearchers “Many teams inAfrica are lookingfor destruction from the fallarmyworm. able to save theircrops from further the country, manyfarmerswillbe technology,” Prof Didaexplained acquiring orbeingincharge ofthe see theeffect withoutnecessarily into theenvironment thefarmermight target pest. into theenvironment to attackthe predator ismultipliedandthenreleased added. This alsodoesnottake long,” hefurther it acceptedandusedinthecountry. government’s approval before itsuse environment, thenitwillneedthe the predators already existlocally. registration process especiallywhen approaches donotrequire along compared to chemicalspraying. since itisquiteenvironmentally friendly other pestsas‘a bestmove ifitworks’ insect predators to biologicallycontrol Maseno University ,termstheuseof agent by allowingitto beregistered. Telenomusremus asabiologicalcontrol makers shouldfacilitatetheuseof economically viableforlocalfarmers. to theAfrican situationbesidesbeing to develop a production method specific discovery according to DrKenis willbe Once thismeasure isadaptedin “Once thepestpredator isreleased In thiskindofpestmanagement,the “If theinsectisnewinto the Prof Didaexplainsthatbiological Prof MathewDida,acrop scientistat He believes African policy kfj It starts withtheright seed www.seedcogroup.com/ke Come talktousatour standandgettheright variety seedsformaximum profits. from yourfarm? Desire profits :[email protected] : seedcokenya :@seedco_ke +25420 8046358|0797381098 |0702934938 to Rd, MRM,P.O. Mombasa Next Box 616-00621,Nairobi Kenya Agri Co Seed Limited Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue THE HOMEOF BUMPERHARVESTS 39 40 Kenya Farmer • May/June Issue