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Kenyan Farmers Thrive by Planting Traditional Crops
11 Sep
Summary
- Indigenous crops help farmers combat wildlife raids and climate change.
- Farmers in Siaya County are reviving traditional grains for resilience.
- A community seed bank preserves heritage and aids climate adaptation.
Farmers in Kenya's Siaya County are successfully adopting indigenous crops, such as finger millet, sorghum, and groundnuts, as a strategy to mitigate losses from wildlife and unpredictable weather patterns. This approach has provided a viable alternative for farmers like Reckadiuse Owino, who previously abandoned maize cultivation due to severe damage from monkeys. By switching to traditional crops, farmers are experiencing fewer wildlife conflicts and reduced need for constant field supervision.
The adoption of these resilient crops is also proving effective against increasingly erratic rainfall. Indigenous varieties require less water and mature faster, outperforming hybrid crops during shortened rainy seasons. Farmers like Risper Agutu have seen improved harvests despite insufficient rainfall by implementing climate-smart practices, including pre-transplanting seedlings and using organic manure.
To further support this agricultural shift, the Got Osimbo community, with the help of development partners, has established a seed and gene bank. This initiative, boasting around 200 members, aims to preserve indigenous seeds and cultural heritage while providing farmers with access to resilient crop varieties. Local agricultural officials actively promote the use of these hardy seeds and enhance farmers' understanding of changing weather patterns.
