Farmers in Kirinyaga have a chance to boost their food production through training in a model farm that will act as a learning center.
The model farm at Gathigiriri in Mwea has been established with the sole purpose of showcasing the envisaged transformation from subsistence agriculture to focused and commercially market-oriented farming.
INCI Dannenberg, Bayer Crop Science Global head of vegetable seeds said the idea behind the Centers of Excellence around the country is to address the challenges facing the farmers which includes inadequate knowledge in the selection of the right genetics
She said farmers would also be exposed to sub-optimal agronomic knowledge to exploit the genetics and optimize their production
Dannenberg said the center of excellence farm models’ strategy is a more progressive and practical approach to modernizing Agriculture and mitigating climate change, which includes engaging in crops that are drought-resistant.
“I am therefore requesting farmers to use the technologies available in this center to maximize agriculture productivity by optimizing the available resources,” she said.
Bernard Waweru, the company representative in Africa said the center will also assist the farmers to gain knowledge in scouting for diseases and pests and how to effectively control them;
“We are also educating the farmers in this region how to safely utilize the crop protection products and avoid overuse of crop protection products resulting in resistance and danger to the user,” he said.
Waweru said they target to train over five thousand farmers in Kirinyaga who will be equipped with the technology for most of the smallholder farmers including irrigation.
“We are encouraging the farmers to use drip irrigation as opposed to other types of open fallow method which in the past led to increased cost of production for the farmer and also pressure on water resources,” he added.
As a company, Waweru said, they are faced with the challenge of how to use their expertise and capabilities in a cost-effective manner to ensure that the smallholder farmers are optimal and can run a sustainable business.
He said the center of excellence farm seeks to address this by locating the learning centers close to the farmer and trade channels- making it easier for the farmers and ourselves to make this interaction.
“The interactions will be on a continuous basis including dedicated farmer field days,” Waweru said
He said the farm models are located in Tomato growing areas in Mwea, Loitoktok, Rumuruti and Homabay, where they showcase the right technology, agronomy focusing on root health, active growth, vector and disease controls using Bayer products and other sciences.
Other rider products- garden beans and corn are also showcased in the centers as they are also pivotal to the business and smallholder farmers for rotation.
The centers also offer a practical learning center for trade partners and other stakeholders.
A farmer, Peter Njiru from Sagana who is a beneficiary of the training program said he has increased his production because of the training.
Lydia Wangari, another farmer from Mwea said the center of excellence programme has served to improve their production in that officers are readily available to answer their queries involving the farming practices.
She said the center has served to overcome the non-availability of services from the extension officers who have been on the decline by the day.
By Irungu Mwangi
