Vihiga: Residents of Vihiga County have been urged to diversify agriculture in a bid to realize food security. In an interview with KNA today in his office, Vihiga County Director of Agriculture, Ben Chumba, called on residents to diversify agriculture by planting different crops, which will ensure food security.
According to Kenya News Agency, Chumba called on residents to practice both crop and livestock farming, saying they can get manure from the animals and poultry which will improve their soil fertility, thus getting quality and higher yields. He also encouraged farmers to utilize short rains by planting nutritious indigenous vegetables for domestic use and selling the surplus produce to boost their income.
Chumba advised them to form and register farmers’ cooperative societies through which they can sell their produce at better prices and avoid being exploited by middlemen. He commended farmers who are already in SACCOs and are selling their produce in Nairobi and other major towns where there is a ready market in groups.
Chumba added that they can get loans from their SACCOs which can help them acquire quality seeds, fertilizer, and other farm inputs which will help them produce higher yields. He informed farmers to embrace technology and also dry and preserve the excess vegetables so that they can be used during times of scarcity.
Finally, Chumba advised them to conduct soil testing to determine the most suitable fertilizers for their farms.