EXPERT URGES FARMERS TO EMBRACE BIO-INPUTS AMIDST GLOBAL OIL CONFLICTS
Kenyan government therefore is mandated to ensure that food is available, affordable(accessible), adequate and sustainable.
Ms Marie waihenya and Winnie Ogutu during Panel discussion. Photo/ Courtesy
By Peter Otieno
Root To Food Coalition conducted a food literacy forum at Alliances Francaise, Nairobi to unpack how global oil dynamics shape fertilizer systems and food security, highlight how these shocks are experienced by the producers and across food system, examine what it takes to translate agro-ecology from policy ambition into practice at scale and explore practical, science based and farmer led alternatives.
While giving her key note address during the forum,the Right To Food national coordinator Ms Winnie Ogutu reiterated that food system relies heavily on fossil fuel-based inputs especially synthetic fertilizers and natural gas making food system highly sensitive to external disruptions. She noted that Russia-Ukraine war and restrictions by major producers of fertilizer leads to decline in oil and gas supply which translates to fertilizer price hike and eventually affecting food sustainability.
”For countries like Kenya, which rely heavily on imported fertilizers,these global dynamics play out in very tangible ways.They translate into real impacts for farmers and consumers.Rising fertilizer prices increase the cost of production,limit access for many farmers and ultimately contribute to higher food prices and increased food insecurity,”said Ms Winnie
She applauded government intervention to cushion farmers by including fertilizer subsidies but however, warned that Kenya’s food system should not remain dependent on external, fossil fuel-based inputs that are beyond national control.
*Article 43(1)(c) of the Kenyan constitution stipulates that every citizen has a right to be free from hunger and to have adequate food of acceptable quality. It also mandates the government to take legislative and policy steps to ensure access to sufficient and nutritious food in fulfilling human dignity.* Kenyan government therefore is mandated to ensure that food is available, affordable(accessible), adequate and sustainable.
A large-scale agroecology farmer Ms Marie Waihenya urged fellow farmers to focus on feeding the soil right for better yield. She also advised that farmers should avoid tilting their farms often but instead tilt once then raise ‘permanent beds’ which are easy to manage. Ms Marie also noted that use of locally produced farm inputs provides practical solution to food systems.
Farmers have been urged to be open to new ways of farming which enhances soil health and boost food production.
“Farmers must have a shift of mind and embrace bio-inputs as a way to boost soil fertility, enhance crop health and increase yield,” Mr. Jigar Chokshi
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