[Karlo has introduced a new beans variety that withstands drought. The initiative, it said, will fight food security.] nuruinternational.com
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Karlo) has unveiled a new variety of beans that is resistant to drought as the government moves to fight food insecurity.
The bean variety will be supplied to farmers in drought prone zones especially in Eastern and North Eastern Kenya.
Karlo in conjunction with the European Union introduced three new types of beans that mature fast and yield at least two tonnes per acres instead of the current 1.5 tonnes.
The launch of the green-grams marks the end of the partnership between Karlo and the European.
The Ministry of agriculture is now building links with seed companies and selected farmers’ groups in readiness for production and distribution.
The investment dabbed ‘Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Agricultural Productivity Research Project’ (Asal-APRP) also launched a kit developed in collaboration with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
The kit diagnoses mastitis in camels and cattle.
It will be used by farmers, vendors and processors after being registered.
A mobile-based application to access Karlo technologies will also be launched.
“There is need to transform the agricultural sector to meet the demands of the increasing population,” Livestock Principal Secretary Andrew Tuimur said after the new bean variety’s launch on Wednesday.