Locals of Garissa County have been urged to diversify in agriculture and avoid only rearing animals to ensure food security in the region.
Nancy Kiurire, from the Ministry of Agriculture in Garissa County during a field visit in Lagdera sub-county called upon the locals who majority are pastoralists to settle down and indulge in crop farming rather than only keeping livestock.
She told the locals that it is more beneficial to diversify to reduce the risk of losses from one source of livelihood.
“It is better to have another source of income if the other fails. We can’t totally rely on one source,” says Kiurire.
She added that this would even provide the locals with a good balanced diet and not only depending on animal products.
“It is advisable that you settle down, minimize the number of animals and involve in both farming and livestock rearing since you can mutually benefit from the two. You can use your produce to feed the animals and the same times use their manure in the farm,” she added.
She noted that settling down gave one the opportunity of growing and developing.
“Settle down permanently. This is really beneficial as it allows you to plan and grow your earnings by focusing on what you can do well. Moving from one place to another leads to loss of time and resources. Settling down means better focus and time which means better yields,” she added.