Government asked to support production of biological farm input

A network of pro-organic comprising 60 Civil Society organisations working with small-scale farmers countrywide have asked the government to consider supporting local production of biological farm inputs.

The organisations under the umbrella of Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Kenya (PELUM) said the biological farm inputs such as composts, blood meal, seaweed extracts and bone meal are alternative methods of soil fertility management.

In a communique read by PELUM chairperson Janet Mumo, the organisations said the organic fertilisers offer more benefits to farm health and the nutritional value of agricultural products than synthetic fertilisers.

Reading the communique during an organic indigenous food fair in Nakuru City that drew farmers from different parts of the country, Mumo said this move would also reduce dependency on imported fertilisers.

“COVID-19 Pandemic impacts, the war in Ukraine compounded with climate change truly exposed the vulnerability, fragility and dependency of the food system in Kenya,” she said.

Mumo said the civil organisations under PELUM were concerned by the government's over-emphasis on mineral-subsidised chemical fertilisers that have spread a cycle of dependency and contributed to soil acidity.

“Kenya having hosted the Africa Soil Health and Fertiliser Summit in May 2024 showcased the great potential of biological inputs in enhancing soil health and food productivity,” she noted.

Mumo said the incentives by the government should include more extension support to farmers on biological inputs which are safe for people and the planet.

“We further urge the government to scale up locally relevant technologies and innovation for the production of biological fertilisers and empower youth as entrepreneurs at the community level,” she said.

The chairperson observed that this would cushion the country from unfortunate occurrences including the recent fake fertiliser scandal that left farmers confused while others uncured massive financial losses.

She said PELUM was willing to provide a platform for learning and experience sharing of the various biological farm inputs which have been successfully been utilised by more the one million farmers allied to the network for years.

On investing in water harvesting, she petitioned the government to prioritise water harvesting and storage while at the same time creating an initiative for the adoption of simple solutions like water pans at household levels.

“Agriculture in Kenya is 98 per cent rainfed with more than 80 per cent of the land being arid and semi-arid which makes it extremely vulnerable to increasing temperatures, droughts and floods,” said Mumo.

She noted that the contrast between flooding in rainy seasons and the famine that follows during drought required improved water harvesting and storage.

Mumo applauded the government for the continued implementation of the the African Landscape Restoration Initiative with the 15 billion tree planting and growing plan by 2032.

“PELUM Kenya Network is committed to contributing to the initiative of 500,000 trees annually."