The first national conversation agriculture conference starting today aims at bringing together key stakeholders to address declining productivity.
Players from the agricultural sector, government and the private sector promoting conservation agriculture and good agricultural practice in the context of declining agricultural productivity and climate change are among those expected at the two-day event.
Equipment and inputs specific to conservation agriculture will be showcased, and farmers will present stories of success.
Food insecurity and malnutrition in Kenya’s arid lands continue to receive humanitarian and media attention, yet high levels of malnutrition prevail in many other parts of the country, particularly the semi-arid lands - largely outside of the public’s attention.
An estimated 10 million people in the country are categorised as chronically food insecure, with the most affected being smallholder farmers.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN-FAO) in Kenya with funding from the European Union (EU) are responding to some of the challenges faced by farmers with the aim of increasing productivity and profitability for small holders through Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and Conservation Agriculture (CA) approaches.
Conservation agriculture is characterised by three main principles which are: minimum soil tillage, permanent soil cover and crop rotation.
The approach has been proven to increase productivity and profitability and is considered more resilient to climate shocks, reducing households’ vulnerability to poverty and food deficits.
The project (2014-2018) is operational in eight targeted counties in the ASAL region: Machakos, Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Laikipia, Meru, Kilifi and Kwale.
In its first year of operation, it has already provided training to over 100,000 farmers and has linked farmers to markets worth over Sh2.4 billion through signed supply contracts between some of the more advanced farmer groups and end buyers.
GAP includes the use of appropriate varieties of drought resistant crops, and certified seed, timely planting, correct fertiliser application, improved post-harvest storage and conversation of agriculture.
The latter lays emphasis on minimal tillage and maintenance of soil cover and crop rotation to increase farm productivity.
The conference ends on Wednesday.