Farmers in Kikuyu sub county have been asked by the area agricultural officer to abandon the traditional food storage methods which have contributed significantly to theft and hunger experienced in the area.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, the sub county agricultural officer Mr Jackson Kariuki said that traditional food storage methods, which have been used for years are no longer recommended methods of food security.
He said food crops should be harvested, subjected to recommended chemicals by the Ministry of Agriculture as a way of adopting new methods of food storage.
“We have lagged behind in terms of food security and perhaps that is why when hunger strikes the area a lot of our residents suffer. The world is advancing technologically and we should appreciate that,” said Kariuki.
He added that traditional storage methods were becoming outdated and that is why the ministry is recommending the use of specific chemicals that enhance good storage.
According to him, traditional stores as much as they are cheaper, they are vulnerable to theft and vandalism, which are common in those areas.
“We understand not everyone can be able to use modern methods but remember, the traditional storage methods are disadvantageous since thieves have always broken into them, leading to losses,” he reckoned.
Mr Aggrey Kinuthia, a farmer, practices the modern food storage method and says his food has been secured both from the pests and the hungry thieves.
He therefore urged his fellow farmers to try it out saying it was worth it and one was assured of their farm products safety.