[Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett in a past event. He has challenged farmers to diversify to curb food shortage. Photo/Hivisasa.com]
Agriculture CS Willy Bett has urged farmers to diversify and seek alternative crops to boost food security in the counties and also to improve their livelihoods.
Mr Bett said maize farmers cannot rely solely on maize and wheat production because of changing economic trends.
He said the country faces maize shortage because many Kenyans depend on it as their staple food adding that farmers should not only concentrate on maize farming.
Speaking at the Kenyenya Green Stadium in Bomachoge Borabu constituency where he launched avocado farming in Kisii County, the CS urged farmers to embrace avocado farming to improve their earnings.
“Farmers need to adjust their farming techniques and venture into other forms of agriculture such as avocado.”
“I urge the Kisii people to embrace intensive farming to increase food production for local consumption and export. Kisii is endowed with plenty of rainfall which residents need in planting various crops despite shrinking land sizes,” said Mr Bett.
The CS together with the Kenya Health Inspectorate Service distributed 10, 000 avocado seedling to trained farmers.
KEPHIS managing director Esther Kimani said the demand for avocado has increased in the recent past because they are used as a healthy alternative and ingredient in beauty products.
“There is a need for farmers to embrace avocado farming for local and global markets. If all farmers grow avocado it would attract investors to put up factories to process the crop and create jobs,” she said.
Also in attendance were county commissioner Karanja Njora, county police commander Agnes Mudambi and Agriculture executive Vincent Sagwe.