Makongo Farmers Network on Tuesday October 14 joined other farmers nationwide in marking seed fair Mashinani.
The lively event held at Makongo centre in Gilgil Subcounty, saw the farmers engaged through exhibition, learning more on traditional ways of seeds preservation and value addition.
Issues of seed sovereignty also took centre stage as farmers called on government to ensure rights of farmers towards seeds ownership and selling of the same are anchored in the laws and policies.
Speaking to famousnakuru.co.ke during the event, the farmers decried that at the moment the law as it is does not give them the right to sell seeds.
Led by Joseph Karanja, he lauded the Seeds Fair Mashinani for the continued sensitization of farmers moreso on matters organic and indigenous foods.
Karanja called on farmers to embrace organic farming which he said will go a long way in ensuring a healthy nation and food security.
“My call to farmers and Kenyans at large is to embrace organic farming and invest in indigenous foods which will help protect even our bodies from health complications,” he stated.
Sentiments echoed by Lucy Njeri who has been a member of Makongo Farmers Network for many years.
She reiterated the need for safeguarding indigenous seeds in the country adding that this is the only way to ensure plant variety.
Peter Kariithi- a farmer at Makongo area working with Eden Indigenous seeds Group and who has been a trainer of farmers on the same, noted that the law prohibits farmers from exchanging and selling their seeds.
He was however quick to point out that the farmers will have a sigh of relief once a case filed by seeds in Machakos Law Courts by seeds activisits sails through.
According to him, farmers will have rights of ownership and sell their indigenous seeds through their seed banks.
“If farmers win the case filed in Machakos then it means we shall have laws that will now integrate matters farmers rights. Seed sovereignty will be realized in this country and it will be a plus for farmers,” he said.
Youthful farmer from Makongo Ms Gladys Nyaboke reiterated the need for young people to engage in matters agriculture.
She revealed that as youth in Agriculture, they have continued to support elderly farmers with some techniques that boost their production among them seed exchange program.
Ms Nyaboke called on young people to embrace organic farming, which she pointed out that it is the way to go.
“Organic farming is the best way to go and we urge our young people to join us in the journey towards a healthy society free of chemicals,” she said.
It should be noted that Makongo Farmers Network has already established organic markets at Jogoo and Makongo areas where farmers engaging in Organic farming can sell their produce.
Mr. Kennedy Makori who was among the organizers of the event lauded Gilgil based Seed Savers Network for providing such platforms for farmers to engage and learn.
He pointed out the need for such forums to be held more often so that more farmers and members of the community can be reached with the gospel of organic farming and seed sovereignty.
“We are very grateful that Seed Savers Network Kenya has been supporting farmers at grassroot level. We need more of these forums so that more farmers can be reached,” stated Makori.
During the event, members of the community at Makongo also made away with goodies, foodstuff and other prizes in various categories of competition.
It should be noted that similar events were held in various counties too with a virtual exhibition that saw all farmers’ groups in these counties connected.