The Mountain Journal
The smallholders in organic farming have made a passionate appeal to the government to facilitate the acquisition of inputs and skills towards achieving food security.
The producers say there is indeed a collaborative approach between the key players towards the sustainability of enough food production and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Organic farming expert Mr Ngugi Muutura, the CEO of the Sustainability Agriculture Community Development Program (SACDEP) spoke during the 30th anniversary at Kilimambogo Thika East sub-county attended by more than 500 farmers from 14 counties.
The farmers supported by the organization, he said, are focused on the production of quality food for their families, and selling the surplus.
“ In 30 years we have transformed many people from conventional agriculture to organic farming, which has gained popularity in the counties,” said Ngugi.
SACDEP has 150,000 farmers in 14 counties, who are equipped the farmers with the knowledge and skills to spur economic growth in food production.
Mutuura said SACDEP has scaled up training on various organic farming practices as part of efforts to meet the rapid demand for organic food crop production.
He further said Sacdep will connect the farmers with the local and international markets, and support the construction of slaughterhouses.
“ Though the government is supporting this initiative, it should put more emphasis on organic farming as it uses less costly inputs and produces better yields,” he said.
Margret Wangechi an organic farmer from Kirinyaga said the government should not have a bias when it comes to distributing funds to farmers.
She says the government has ignored those pursuing the organic farming concept.
“National and the county governments have sidelined the organic farmers in their strategic plans on food security with emphasis on conventional agriculture,” said Wangechi.
She explained how some extension officers were discouraging farmers from using the organic farming concept as they promoted the use of the chemical.
During the function, an international partner in promoting organic farming, Mr Herman Schut said there is an increasing demand for organic foods globally.
He said organic farming presents an opportunity for poor farming households to increase food and agricultural production and productivity, using cheaper organic inputs originating from within the farms.
Schut however, urged organic farmers to form small groups and invest in savings to fund themselves and increase the productivity of organic products.
“Embrace organic farming as this will help the farmers with increased knowledge and skills in organic farming methods, to improve their soil, and health and boost resilience in the face of the changing markets and climate change,” said Schut.
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