State urged to promote indigenous foods production

The national government has been urged to come up with laws and policies geared towards promoting production of indigenous crops and access to their seeds.

Central Rift farmers have emphasised the importance of growing indigenous crops as a way of enhancing food security in the wake of harsh effects of climate change.

The farmers under Makongo Agriculturalists Network (MAN) have petitioned the government to address shortage of indigenous seeds and food, organic farm inputs and ensure access to markets.

“Conservation and use of traditional crop varieties provides a wealth of crop genetic diversity and should be recognised as critical to climate change adaptation. We need systems to identify and document all Kenyan seed varieties to protect their sovereignty, history and boost food security,” said Francis Ngiri, their spokesman.

Ngiri spoke during an Indigenous Seed Networking and Exhibition Symposium organised by Seed Savers Network in collaboration with the County Government of Nakuru at Makongo Trading Centre in Gilgil.

Small holder farmers

The exhibition brought together smallholder farmers, crop and weather experts among other professionals with the farmers regretting the ban on the sale of uncertified seeds, including traditional seeds.

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) reports indicate that the informal seed sector in Kenya accounts for between 60-70 per cent seeds planted by farmers across the country.

“Most farmers in Kenya rely on the traditional seed sector, yet the country’s seed laws and regulations do not recognise the informal seed sector. This should be reviewed,” said Ngiri.

As a way of navigating through this, Seed Savers Network has urged farmers to join groups and have their seeds coded in community seed banks to lock out bio-piracy and stealing of their indigenous seeds. “Legislators should come up with laws that will allow farmers to produce these crops as they are safer and healthier using the readily available seeds,” he said.

Under the network, the farmers are encouraged to embrace organic farming as a way of enhancing their safety and reducing cost of production with the end goal being boosting their incomes.