There is a need for Kenyans to embrace food diversity through alternative crops to boost food security in the counties and also to improve their livelihoods.
Sweet Potatoes farming researcher at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization-KALRO John Ndung’u says that with the emerging climate change, maize can no longer be relied on as Kenya's staple food.
In an interview at the ongoing Nakuru National Agricultural show, the researcher says crop diversification is the only way to uplift the living standards of the farmers and Kenyans as a whole.
“Time is now that we start thinking on alternative crops such as sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkins and even cassavas. As KALRO, we are putting more focus on the same,” said Ndung'u.
One of the Big Four agenda of the government is Agriculture with more focus on food security in the country.
Ndung’u opined that to achieve this, farmers should embrace the food diversity rather than relying solely on maize.
While lauding the government’s programme on fortifying flour with foods such as sweet potatoes, wheat, cassavas among other crops before milling, Ndung’u says this will greatly help address food security.
“The government Big Four agenda on food security can only be achieved if we embrace food diversity. I want to commend the government for the flour blending initiative where millers will be required to blend maize with other crops” says Ndung’u.
He adds that with proper awareness among farmers and the society at large, the country will be salvaged from poverty brought about by over-reliance on maize.
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