Food
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in partnership with Meru County Government and other Industry Stakeholders joined other global communities in celebrating World Food Day by holding an Agricultural Show meant to sensitise farmers on better farming practices to enhance food security in the region and the country at large.
The celebrations held at Munanda Primary School Grounds brought together farmers from Isiolo, and Meru Counties who were eager to learn new technologies, especially in agribusiness even as the rainy season draws near.
Speaking during the celebrations, the conservancy’s head of Development Programs Mr Lawrence Riungu said the aim of holding the show that attracted at least 40 partners was to sensitise and educate farmers, especially from the dry parts of the counties on how they can use the little available water to maximize agricultural productivity.
“We have drilled several boreholes for the community around and we wanted them to know how to use it in its scarcity and get good tidings as is evidenced by the model farm that has been set up in this school,” said Mr Riungu. He said by use of the technologies received from the show, about seventy farmers who depend on a borehole at the primary school will conserve water and use it more in their agribusinesses.
This, he added, will enable them to be food secure and also get more income by selling the produce from their farms. “We have had a similar activity in February this year, but we are holding another one today to celebrate this day and this will become an annual event starting from today,” said Mr Riungu.
The Conservancy’s head of Community Development Programme Mr Lawrence Riungu addressing the media.
He said they will in the future be moving to various communities setting up demo farms that will enable farmers to learn new agricultural practices and technologies.
“As part of the commemoration, Lewa is engaging in a series of events and campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize support for the communities. Collaborating with local farmers, schools, and non-profit organisations to ensure that communities have the resources they need to produce food sustainably and manage water more effectively,” said Mr Riungu.
The Conservancy’s Education department head Ms Purity Kinoti said they also decided to bring in pupils from the schools they sponsor so they can also have a grasp from the demo farm so they can replicate the same in their schools and at home. “We are currently under the Competency-Based Curriculum which demands learners to be active in outdoor learning and agriculture is a critical part of it. We are sure that they will gain something to help them to be agribusiness people in the future,” said Ms Kinoti.
Chief Programmes and Partnerships Officer Mr John Kinoti said they were happy the farmers turned out in large numbers and that they had an opportunity to get new ideas that will help them to improve their farming activities.
“We must work together now more than ever to create sustainable food systems that can nourish every person on the planet while preserving the resources we all depend on, such as water. We are committed to doing our part through supporting all the farmers surrounding our conservancy,” said Mr Kinoti.
Mr Peter Muriuki a farmer from Ntumburi in Meru County said the show was productive as he was able to learn various farming methods, especially onion, and also how to use little water in farming, especially through drip irrigation. His counterpart Ms Emily Gilisho from Ngarendare said she was able to get insights on environmental conservation in agricultural activities especially in the usage of safe pesticides.
Farmers receive insights on proper pesticides in their cabbage farms during an agricultural show at a demo farm at Munanda primary school. The show was sponsored by Lewa Conservancy, in partnership with the Meru County government and other industry stakeholders.
“I was also able to learn how to conduct and wear while using the pesticides to ensure that they have no negative impacts on our health,” said Ms Gilisho. World Food Day is usually dedicated to raising awareness about hunger, food security, and the need for sustainable agricultural practices with this year’s theme being “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,”
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy’s community development department is implementing a Sustainable Agriculture program among all communities surrounding Lewa. The program aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, enhance resilience, and promote sustainable development by leveraging extensive networks and expertise to address climate change adaptation and promote climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and sustainable land management.
The industry stakeholders and partners showcased various climate-smart technologies including Conservation Agriculture, Soil Health Management, Soil and Water Conservation, water management, water harvesting, drip irrigation technology, use of quality organic and inorganic fertilizers, use of hybrid/certified seeds, drought-tolerant varieties, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), forestry and agroforestry, nutritious fodder (Brachiaria grass), fodder conservation (silage making), animal health management, renewable energy (solar and biogas technology), linkages with reliable markets, and post-harvest handling (use of hermetic bags).