By: Lucy Macharia
Matters of food insecurity have been greatly affecting our country in a greater percentage and at last affecting our economic status.
In most cases, you find that many Kenyans do not cherish farming activities nor do they put efforts in agricultural practices. As many values Urban lives and abandons their farms leaving them unplanted yet starving due to food shortage and strain much since they are forced to buy food stuffs on daily bases.
It all comes with various setbacks since most of people’s salaries do not cater for all of their needs as many pay rent at end month, pay fees and cater for basic needs as per the requirements of their families. For instance, a farmer from central part of Kenya who abandons their farms causes great havocs to the country. This is because in central parts of Kenya, the climatic status favours the growth of many agricultural products and when left out with no treats a great loss is counted there-in.
In these parts they grow coffee, tea, dairy production practices, maize farming, and vegetables among many others. If all people on these places can put efforts in rearing their farms they can contribute in atleast 70% in fighting hunger and food shortage.
On the other side, from western Kenya, large portion of maize production is greatly favoured. In some parts like Kitale and Uasin Gishu , it’s well known of high maize production. But can this be so real if no efforts are done? The government through their initiatives should support them with usable and effective fertilizers, better irrigation schemes, distributing seeds to farmers thus to encourage them in producing more. Those who prefer urban lives over the rural lives and do not have sustainable job opportunities should also stick in their rural areas and embrace farming.
In consideration of all these, you find many farmers with high production of products but do not know of best and preferred markets to take them. Whereby many do not have effective storage warehouses, this leading to wastage and destruction. This is due to high theft, destruction by pest and finally leading to inevitable losses.
Many potential farmers also deserves strong marketing strongholds whereby thru should be led loans at low interests and also have marketing personnel’s where they take in their products at better prices. In regard of the rains we are receiving now, many should take an advantage of it and do more of farming.
Lucy Macharia
Rongo university
Migori county