Busia County Agriculture CeC, Dr Moses Osia in the streets of Amukura, to promote organic farming and food during the World Food Day celebrations, October 15, 2017. [Photo|Busia County Government]Farmers in Busia have been challenged to embrace organic farming and foods by engaging in segmentation of farming to produce traditional foods which they have comparative advantage.Speaking during the World Food Day celebrations at Amukura market in Teso South, Busia County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Moses Osia, said, although Busia produces 600,000 bags of maize annually, compared to 200,000 of sorghum and millet, it is not the only food to be consumed, hence the need to diversify."We need to take agriculture as commercial farming to stop the culture of the youth selling their land in rural areas to look for white collar jobs in urban areas instead of utilizing the land to produce traditional foods that are fast income generating," he said.PELUM-Kenya Program Officer, Rosinah Mbenya, urged farmers to embrace organic farming and food commonly known as 'kilimohai' (certified) organic which is now commonly used among the East African member states."Climate is changing so food and agriculture must also change. Some people are agitating we go the chemical way but we say organic farming and food is the way to go.Kilomohai is a way sustainable for the community, for the present and future generation because it doesn't compromise any generation," she said.Speaking, Monday, County Agriculture Chief Officer, Roselyne Kwedho, said she was impressed with the exhibitions including maize resistant seeds against foul army worms, saying the County government might rely on the seeds after carrying out tests on their resistance.She also promised to look for market for honey and other farmers who are finding it difficult to look for market for their produce.Also present were, Teso South Assistant County Commissioner Fredrick Mbuvi, and County Director for agriculture Samson Khachina.Earlier Dr Osia led farmers a board a boda boda in the streets of Amukura with messages to embrace organic farming. Farmers exhibited traditional foods with the highlight being cutting the cake made from finger millet mixed with cow peace and wheat.

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