A farmer who practices climate-smart farming in Taiita Taveta. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]
The Ministry of Environment has launched a programme to equip farmers in key food-producing regions with climate-smart farming skills to help them take advantage of the anticipated El Nino rains.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa urged farmers to embrace climate-smart agriculture and plant short-season crops to help cushion the country against the effects of widespread maize crop failure caused by prolonged drought.
Dr Barasa said the ministry is working with farmer groups across the country to enhance their knowledge of climate-smart agriculture, value addition and sustainable food production under changing climatic conditions.
She noted that the government has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to support farmers following the failed maize season, which is expected to result in a significant decline in national maize production.
“We have employed a multi-sectoral approach to support farmers to enhance production through climate-smart agriculture, and I encourage farmers to take advantage of the expected El Niño rains to grow short-term crops,” she said during an event at Maridadi Primary School.