Kirinyaga: Over 400 farmers in Kirinyaga County, supported by the local government, are embracing organic farming amid rising health concerns and increasing demand for organic produce. The farmers, organized into 14 groups, have been unified into a cooperative to harness the growing market and receive financial support for expanding their ventures.
According to Kenya News Agency, organic farming employs ecologically based pest controls and biological fertilizers, primarily derived from animal wastes and nitrogen-fixing cover crops. Governor Anne Waiguru highlighted that organic farming is becoming increasingly popular in the county, with farmers adopting the practice for both health and economic benefits. She emphasized the importance of organic farming as a component of sustainable agriculture, offering health, environmental, and food security advantages.
Governor Waiguru stated that the county is committed to reducing the use of agro-chemicals, in light of rising cancer cases with unknown causes. "We are undertaking farmers training on organic farming because we want to reduce use of chemicals. Statistics shows cancer cases are still rising and though we do not know the cause, we want to avoid use of agro chemicals on horticulture where it is possible," she explained.
The Governor's administration also focuses on maintaining organic standards through training and monitoring. "We are promoting organic food farming in our county because there is no good health without food safety," Waiguru said, underscoring the positive impact of organic farming on people's health and the environment.
Dr. John Gachara, County Executive Committee member for Agriculture, Livestock, Veterinary, and Fisheries, reiterated the county's support for health, environmental, and economic reasons. He pointed out that excessive agro-chemical use has been a challenge in agriculture, but the county's efforts have brought farmers together, with hopes to increase the number of organic farmers to around 700 this year.
Dr. Gachara noted the global rise in consumer demand for organically grown food, driven by concerns over synthetic chemicals and industrial farming methods. He emphasized that organic farming offers premium pricing and better health outcomes due to reduced exposure to agro-chemicals.
Henry Muriuki, practicing organic farming since 2019 in Kimunye area, collaborates with the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) and the county government to promote organic methods. He noted the high demand for organic produce and the benefits of cooperative society membership for bargaining power.
Newton Kariuki, another organic farmer, stressed the health and profitability benefits of organic farming, attributing their success to county government support. George Maina highlighted reduced input costs and increased profits, along with the appeal of nutritious produce to health-conscious consumers, as key advantages of organic farming. He appreciated the county government's role in training and facilitating cooperative formation to finance ventures.