A non-governmental organization (NGO) has partnered with the Tharaka Nithi County government to encourage farmers to use indigenous seeds with the aim of increasing food production in the semi-arid parts of the county.
Speaking during a two-day workshop held at Mandogo farm in Kathwana, the county Chief Officer for Agriculture, Livestock, and Veterinary Services, Peter Kimathi Njeru, said Strategists for Agro-Pastoralist Development, commonly known as SAPAD, have been working with the county government to encourage farmers to use indigenous seeds.
“They will ensure that food production within the county is increased through the use of indigenous seeds, through which the farmers will have surety of harvesting because there will always be farm produce despite the long drought periods,” he said.
His sentiments were elaborated by SAPAD’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chabari Kiura, who disclosed that their organization deals with the preservation of indigenous seeds and works with local farmers within the county to help them cope with hunger strikes and long drought seasons, with the overall effect of ensuring that there is adequate food production.
“Indigenous seeds are drought-resistant as compared to the present hybrid seeds. They can thrive in all seasons. Among the Tharaka community, storing seeds for the next planting season is viewed as a sign of prestige because during that planting time of the season, the farmer doesn’t have to borrow seeds around,” the CEO further explained.
Chabari further revealed that the strategy will help the farmers cope with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which cannot be borrowed from anyone.
Farmers used the two-day platform to showcase different seeds they have preserved and teach others on how they have benefitted from these initiatives.
SAPAD has taught the farmers how to add value to different indigenous farm produce, like baking cakes and bread from cassava flour and pumpkin flour and making cakes and crisps from sweet potatoes.
A representative from Germany only identified as Ms. Laura said that this has created awareness among people outside the country about the value of indigenous seeds.
“They will save us from the change because they are adaptable to the climate changes,” said Ms. Laura.
“In the long term, GMO does not give us food security in the future. Indigenous seeds are maintained within the community. They are not transferred to other countries. People visit to learn on how they can manage their seeds in their communities,” she further explained.
SAPAD has been in operation in Tharaka Nithi County for more than five years, where it has concentrated on issues affecting the local community and pushed for possible solutions.
The organization had initially focused its attention on areas of indigenous chicken rearing to boost nutrition and empower the local residents economically.
Another area of concentration was the water and sanitation health programme commonly referred to as the “WASH” programme.
Here, SAPAD has helped the Tharaka community to construct modern toilets at Nkarini MCK public school alongside other related projects like the rock catchment water harvesting programme being executed at Kamaguna area and already benefiting the local community.
Ecological organic agriculture is another area that has transformed the lives of the residents of Tharaka Nithi County, courtesy of SAPAD.
Among the key institutions that have benefited from this program is the Kathwana GK Prison, where officers and inmates at the facility are now enjoying an improved diet thanks to SAPAD for leading a food security initiative at the institution’s farm.
By David Mutwiri and Beatrice Mwende
