Farmers in Vihiga and Kisumu counties have been provided with new processing units and equipment to enhance value addition in agriculture. In Vihiga, the beneficiaries are from Itumbu and Lianaginga, while in Kisumu, farmers from Nyakach, Kabudi-Agoro, and Nyando have received the equipment.
This initiative is funded by the Alliance of Biodiversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, in partnership with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature of the Netherlands.
Jane Adhiambo, a farmer from Nyando, highlighted the difficulties faced by women due to traditional threshing and winnowing methods, often considered tasks for women and children. She mentioned that the new equipment will save time and energy, reducing health issues like skin allergies caused by dust during winnowing.
Her colleague, Phoebe Abor from Kabudi-Agoro, noted that sorghum, a crop gaining popularity for its health benefits, had previously been challenging due to labor-intensive processing. The new machines, she said, will empower farmers to increase sorghum production.
From 2018 to 2021, the Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, established three community seed banks to conserve indigenous varieties of crops like sorghum, finger millet, beans, traditional leafy vegetables, and local maize.
Dr. Carlo Fadda, Global Lead for the CGIAR Initiative on Nature-Positive Solutions, emphasized the importance of sustainability and linking conservation efforts with value addition and marketing. He stressed the need for farmers to adopt nature-friendly agricultural practices to minimize agriculture’s climate impact. Fadda also called on policymakers to support traditional seed systems rather than prioritizing commercial seed options.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Niane, ICARDA’s country manager for the United Arab Emirates, acknowledged that farmers face challenges like limited access to processing facilities and markets. He explained that the new equipment, including solar-powered dryers, threshers, winnowers, and hermetic packaging materials, will help farmers process and preserve their produce for future sale.
Vihiga County Agriculture Director, Reuben Chumba, encouraged farmers to focus on value addition to extend the shelf-life of their produce and improve market access. He urged them to work in groups for large-scale production and joint marketing efforts.
Dr. Desterio Nyambongo, Director of the Genetic Resources Research Institute, stressed the importance of planting a variety of seeds due to unpredictable farming seasons. He explained that diversifying crops ensures that if one fails, others may succeed, with early-maturing varieties being more drought-resistant, while late-maturing crops thrive during longer rainy periods.
Access to quality seeds, Nyambongo added, is key to successful farming and improved yields for smallholder farmers.
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