Extension officer with the Ministry of Agriculture Lilian Ogwang has encouraged Kisumu County residents to embrace urban farming as a way of boosting food security in the county.
Speaking at Kisumu ASK show on Thursday, officer Ogwang said there are various urban and pre-urban agriculture such as key hole garden, integrated farming system and hanging gardens.
"This systems of farming apply in areas with less water and limited land space. For example with integrated farming system the farmer grows vegetables over the poultry house and just below it there's a fish pond," said Ogwang.
She added: "In all this enterprises they are related. The fish will benefit from the chicken's droppings as their source of food."
Ogwang said that with integrated system, the vegetable grown above the poultry house is fed to the chicken.
"Recycled water from the fish pond is highly nutritious in organic matters and one can use it to water the plants above," said extension officer.
She said that the ministry is encouraging organic farming.
Ogwang said Urban and pre-urban farming system was started five years ago targeting urban farmers in Kisumu East sub-county.
"We found out that most farmers have limited land and Kisumu gets most of its food from neighbouring counties," she said.
She said with this system a farmer can have fresh vegetables and sell surplus therefore earning money.