Written By Monica Makali ||
Young farmers have been encouraged to practice agroecology which will help enhance the resilience of livelihoods and provide climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions.
The ever-increasing stress on the ecosystem has led to dwindling natural resources, and low food production and greatly impacted food security thereby pushing for the need to incorporate agroecology a circular system in which a product or by-product can be used within the same farm setup.
According to Collins Owuor a youthful farmer from INADES Foundation, over the past there has been a perception that agroecology is too complex yet it is the best path forward for a sustainable food system that is rooted in resilience and productivity.
Collins is part of the more than fifteen young farmers drawn from the counties of Makueni, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, and Kiambu who had converged in Kangundo, Machakos County for a visit to several model farms owned by youths to learn agroecology.
Improved Yields
The partnership with Pelum will see more youths in Lower Eastern get knowledge on organic farming and rely on the available resources to improve yields.
They said people are usually not interested in the field of agriculture, in large part due to their perception of farming being antiquated and unprofitable.
In an environment where global weather patterns continue to shift considering that Lower Eastern receives little rainfall, they affirmed that agroecology will save them a great deal.
They however pitied their colleagues who have put more concentration in search for white collar jobs yet there lies great opportunities in farming.
Collins Mwashumbe a farmer from Taita Taveta said the perception that agriculture is involving and tiring is true and can only be achieved by someone with great zeal and determination.
Even so, the growing number of investor-farmers is raising concerns in regard to who should actively participate in the agricultural sector which agricultural support organisations urge youths to start small and be innovative.
