Marani Sub County Chief Agricultural Officer, Abel Obiero, has urged area residents to venture into alternative farming other than maize farming.
Speaking on Wednesday at Mwamonari village, Obiero said the move was essential due to failing of maize farming that has lead to famine.
Obiero said continued dependency on maize farming would draw the region behind in terms of economic development besides leading to exhaustion on nutrients from the soil.
“Time has come for you to try other crops such as Irish potatoes. They are easily available and can survive harsh conditions. That is why we have to change our tactics in terms of farming,” said Obiero.
“It is evident that maize farming has been disastrous in the region for the second year in a row. We cannot continue depending on the same crop,” adds Obiero.
He said his department will carry out sensitisation exercise among farmers to enable them know technological dynamics in farming as a way of ensuring they move with the rest of the world.
“Farming is changing daily with technological changes. There is need for farmers to understand the situation and that is why my department is planning to carry out sensitisation exercise,” notes Obiero.