Farmers in Ndeiya, Limuru Sub-County have been urged to inter-crop and grow legume varieties as a way of increasing harvests to combat food insecurity that has been endemic in the area.
Speaking to farmers on Tuesday during a field visit, Limuru Sub-County Agricultural Officer Lucy Waweru noted that legumes increase soil fertility by capturing free nitrogen in the atmosphere and converting it to important minerals that grain plants can use.
"On top of increasing soil fertility, legumes are also a source of high proteins that can benefit the farmers nutritional-wise," said Waweru.
She said that legumes can either be planted besides the grain crops or can be alternated by seasons.
"Research has shown that farmers who practice inter-cropping realise better harvests than those that don't," said Waweru.
The agricultural officer said Ndeiya experiences dry weather conditions that has caused the area to experience food insecurity for a long time.
The national government launched the Ndeiya Food Security Program at the beginning of this year in an attempt to combat hunger in the area.