Category: Agriculture

Nakuru-based organization Slow Food Kenya has commenced a series of Community food dialogues/Barazas aimed at promoting community driven advocacy by mobilizing, raising awareness and empowering communities to lobby for pro-people policies.

The lobby group that has been advocating for clean farming that is free from artificial chemicals that have effect on both crops and humanity, believes that effective advocacy starts with grassroots movement.

Mr.Elphas Masanga from Slow Food Kenya says through the Community food dialogues/Barazas, communities will take a central role in advocating for their rights, agro-ecology, food safety and healthy food system.

This, he says, is by targeting their local opinion leaders, influencing decision makers, stakeholders and relevant audiences.

In an interview, Masanga stated that agro-ecology farming is the way to go as a country as it will help reduce numerous diseases that are brought about by harmful chemicals.

Working in 17 Counties in the country, Masanga believes the community food dialogues will go a long way in helping achieve the same.

Slow Food Kenya has already held such forums with farmers, opinion leaders and county representatives in Embu,Kirinyaga, Baringo, Nakuru, and Narok.

Masanga who spoke during such a forum at Kotolian area in Narok South, noted that they have a target to reach all the 17 counties that Slow Food Kenya is working in.

“These forums are key in creating awareness on the need to have food produced through agro-ecology which is safe. The only problem we are having in the country is consumption of food that has a lot of chemicals,” he said.

The officer also reiterated the need to embrace and ensure sovereignty of food where farmers have a decision on what is going to be consumed.

He pointed out lack of storage facilities as a major challenge to farmers especially during post- harvest stage.

It is for this reason that Slow Food Kenya has also been carrying out capacity building on how farmers can help reduce the post-harvest challenges.

“We are sensitizing our farmers so that they can improve through value-added products where the seeds are dried well and the storage facilities in use are well structured to avert loss,” he said.

The organization has also called on the government to step in and ban harmful products that are making their ways into the market and endangering the lives of farmers and Kenyans at large.

Kotolian area Assistant Chief Dickson Pere on his part called on the need for farmers to be sensitized on various challenges affecting them.He pointed out that storage of grains and more so maize is still a challenge to farmers in grassroot areas hence need for such to be addressed.

He also challenged field extension officers to do more rounds to know what farmers are going through and advice on the way forward. Sentiments echoed by local farmers in Narok South.

Led by Daniel Losirian who also doubles up as village elder, they noted that lack of the right fertilizer and quality seeds also contributed to low food production.They called on Slow Food Kenya to carry out more sensitization meetings to help farmers understand more.

 “Food production and food security go hand in hand and therefore there is more that should be done,” he said.