Kwale Deputy Governor says State officers unsupportive
By Print Reporter, August 14, 2024Kwale Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo has criticized some of the State and non-governmental agricultural organizations for their failure to effectively support local farmers in enhancing food security and livelihoods.
Kombo expressed frustration that despite the presence of numerous agricultural organisations in Kwale, there is a noticeable gap in the tangible support provided to farmers.
He said farmers struggle with poverty and financial losses yet the NGOs meant to empower them are flooded in the region.
“Sometimes I wonder; we have so many agricultural organisations all claiming to be supporting farmers but their work is not seen,” he stated.
Kombo argued that the NGOs had not adequately addressed the pressing issues of food insecurity and agriculture that farmers face questioning their effectiveness in enhancing food security.
Kombo criticized many agricultural organizations for focusing primarily on office-based activities rather than engaging directly with farmers in the field.
“How can you sit at a desk the whole day and claim that you have supported farmers?” he questioned.
He observed that a lot of farmers struggle due to a lack of knowledge about effective farming practices and are facing continuous challenges from erratic rainfall, crop diseases and lack of market.
Kombo urged persons running the organisations to urgently change their attitude and adopt a hands-on approach and continuous training to enable farmers measure up to the dynamic conditions in a bid to improve their agricultural techniques.