Nakuru: Farmers in Nakuru have adopted crop diversification as the County Government provides seedlings to end reliance on dwindling returns from maize. The devolved unit’s department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, in collaboration with Alliance of Biodiversity International (CIAT) and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), has been sensitising farmers to venture into beans, avocado, sunflower, pyrethrum, bamboo, and fish farming to cushion themselves from the woes that have bedevilled the cereal sector for years.
According to Kenya News Agency, Livestock, and Fisheries, Mr. Leonard Bor, the collaborative campaign is promoting diversification of foods as a way of mitigating the effects of climate change, boosting sources of livelihoods, and improving living standards. Mr. Bor disclosed that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration has also rolled out the distribution of assorted seedlings of avocado, pyrethrum, coffee, and tissue cultures in addition to training over 100 ext
ension officers who are helping farmers carry out successful crop diversification.
The farmers are being encouraged to cultivate the Nyota bean variety in the short rain season, which is gaining rapid popularity among small-scale and subsistence farmers, boosting yields and ensuring food security and nutrition from the household level in the county. Mr. Bor indicated that the administration was promoting the Nyota bean variety due to its rapid maturity, adaptability to diverse climates, and its high levels of zinc and iron.
Mr. Bor observed that Kenya’s agricultural production is dominated by a narrow range of commodities, including maize and wheat, as well as cash crops like tea, coffee, and flowers. He added that their cultivation contributes to the livelihoods of 70 per cent of rural families, causing a concerning overreliance on just a few crops.
The CECM further noted that crop diversification was one of the cheapest ways of dealing with several crop diseases, including the fall armyworms in the regi
on. Besides going for the best maize seed varieties suitable for the soils in the area, farmers were encouraged to invest in early-maturing crops during the short rain seasons.
He stated that diversifying production towards non-traditional varieties could help improve agricultural productivity, stabilise output, enhance food security, and mitigate the risk of climate change. Mr. Bor emphasized that diversification not only expands the number of potential crop types for markets but also contributes significantly to household nutrition needs. While it is not a substitute for specialisation, diversification remains the most robust option towards creating resilient agricultural systems.
Mr. Bor affirmed that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration had sustained a campaign to revitalise avocado farming, with eyes set on international markets. The devolved unit was collaborating with stakeholders in the avocado subsector in training farmers on enhancing the competitiveness of avocado value-added products.
He adde
d that the county was keen on focusing on international markets instead of selling the fruit to middlemen at throwaway prices. The CECM indicated they were encouraging farmers to diversify into the farming of avocados and macadamias alongside other traditional crops like coffee and potatoes, urging avocado farmers to join cooperative societies to boost their incomes and prevent exploitation by middlemen.