Elgeyo marakwet: The Elgeyo Marakwet County Executive Committee (CEC) Member in charge of Agriculture, Edwin Kibor, has revealed that the County Government is engaging the National Government in discussions aimed at fencing the Rimoi Game Reserve. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the persistent problem of elephants straying from the reserve and invading nearby farms, which has led to the destruction of crops and loss of livelihoods for local farmers.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CEC stated that the high population of elephants at the game reserve poses a threat to farming in the area, prompting the urgency of erecting a fence to keep the elephants within. Speaking during an agricultural field day on dryland agriculture at Kermuk Farm in Chegilet Location in the Kerio Valley, farmers expressed their concerns about having to guard their crops against elephants. Joshua Kiptoo, a farmer from the Kerio Valley, highlighted the dire consequences of such invasions, mentioning that farmers are often forced to spend nights in their fields with torches to deter elephants.
The CEC commended the farmers for their resilience in arid farming and assured that his Department would continue holding agricultural field days across all 20 wards to educate farmers on new agricultural techniques. This is part of the county's wealth creation policy aimed at ensuring farmers can generate income.
Keiyo North Deputy County Commissioner, Julius Maiyo, urged the youth to consider agriculture as a viable employment opportunity. He emphasized the financial benefits of engaging in agriculture, particularly with the cultivation of drought-resilient crops like green grams, which have shown promising returns within a short period.
Mr. Tasisio Odongo from the State Department of Agriculture, representing the Principal Secretary, encouraged farmers to apply the knowledge gained from field days to their work. He described agriculture as a multifaceted solution that addresses food security, health, and economic needs and contributes to resolving security issues in areas like the Kerio Valley.
Dry farming, the practice highlighted during the event, relies on natural rainfall and involves techniques such as mulching, terracing, and contour farming to conserve soil moisture. It is especially beneficial in regions with limited water resources.