The government is now concentrating on developing kitchen gardens in 24 million villages to boost food production, according to Agriculture PS Paul Rono. He stated that these gardens will be introduced under the Mama Kitchen Garden project as part of smart farming initiatives.
“We will also target the youth to involve them in this smart farming, either individually or through groups. By doing this, we aim to uplift the lives of people at the grassroots level,” Rono said.
He added that the government will enhance water availability and the use of solar energy to advance the program. This approach will help communities learn and adopt technology in agriculture.
“We will assist women’s groups in accessing quality seeds and educate them on modern farming methods to ensure the program’s success and increase food production,” Rono explained.
He made these remarks during a trade and agriculture exhibition at the University of Eldoret, which was attended by partners from the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and other institutions.
Rono noted that the same method will be used to teach farmers, particularly in North Rift, to diversify their crops beyond maize and wheat. The government has already distributed sunflower seedlings to over 40 counties and will also provide seedlings for macadamia, avocados, coffee, and pyrethrum.
“These seedlings will leverage technological innovations at universities to help farmers adapt to climate change and manage soil conservation,” Rono said.
He emphasized that the University of Eldoret plays a crucial role in advancing technology in agriculture.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development will collaborate with universities, innovators, and the private sector through the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to scale up technologies and innovations that support farmers in addressing climate change and enhancing food production,” the PS concluded.
