Elgeyo Marakwet county has started growing drought-resilient crops in Kerio Valley region, which has for years been ravaged by banditry and malnutrition affecting thousands of families.
The county has recorded high levels of malnutrition, especially among children in Kerio Valley. The food shortage means they don’t get nutritious and balanced meals. Farming had been paralysed and small development projects halted.
But with renewed hope following a near-successful security operation in the region where KDF is backing other security teams, the county headed by Governor Wisley Rotich has partnered with other agencies to help fight the challenge of food shortages and malnutrition.
A total of 4.5 tonnes of beans (nyota) enriched with iron and zinc have been distributed to farmers in Kerio Valley under the programme.
The programme funded through the Emergency Locust Response Programme benefits farmers in Soy North, Endo, Sambirir and Arror electoral wards.
Edwin Seroney, who is the executive for agriculture and irrigation, led the distribution.
Sambirir received 1,020, Endo 1,530 and Soy North 1,900 kilogrammes. Farmers in Arror ward received their distribution a month ago.
The beans have two-to-three months climate resilience and mature early, according to the executive. It retails at between Sh150 to Sh200 per kilo in the open market.
“The beneficiary families will have beans to consume that are rich in important minerals that help tackle malnutrition and at the same time the crop is of high value for commercial purposes,” the executive said.
He said Governor Rotich is keen to help transform the lives of residents by ensuring they also engage in gainful agricultural and commercial activities.
“Increasing food production is a key pillar in our county development plan as well as the national government. We will work with our partners to support residents to produce high value crops away from the traditional ones we are used to, like maize and wheat,” Seroney said.
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) is also supporting a school feeding programme in eight schools in Sambirir ward with each school receiving 10kgs of the bean seeds.
