Agroecology a Game changer to small holder farmers’ food production

Small holder farmers from Bungoma County have embraced the Agroecology model of farming with the sole aim of increasing food production and fighting the global effects of climate change.

Farmers from Bungoma narrates that before embracing Agroecology they used to harvest 2- 3 bags of maize per acre. To ensure small holder farmers maximize on their production, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing ‘BOOST’ projects in five counties to boost food production and reduce losses.

Boosting Sustainable Food Production in Kenya (BOOST) project is running in; Bungoma, Kakamega, Nandi, Migori and Homabay. Farmers in the above counties have formed groups where they benefit from farm inputs and training.

Agnes Barasa, Chairperson of the Salama women group in Kimilili Constituency, Bungoma County said that the group was founded in 2018 with a membership of 30 with an aim of practicing Agroecology to boost yields.

In addition, she says that apart from practicing farming they also participate in Village saving and loaning.

In 2023, Barasa notes that their group got shot in the arm after the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) picked their group as a beneficiary of the ‘BOOST’ project.

“Initially, we started this group purposely for the village saving and loaning and banana planting but we were lucky after our group was spotted by FAO for farm input funding (maize and beans) under ‘BOOST’ project,” she noted.

She applauded FAO for introducing a project to them that has greatly increased their yields admitting that before the introduction of the project, farmers used to harvest 3 bags of maize per acre.

“I used to get 2 bags of maize per acre but after BOOST came I harvested 15 bags of maize per acre,” she reported.

**Vincent Kibet FAO cordinator addressing farmers** | PHOTO : PRIME AFRICA

She reveals that before the introduction of the BOOST project, a farmer tilling one acre would spend Sh25, 000 to purchase farm inputs and would later harvest 3 bags of maize.

“This project has really helped us because with Sh2,400 a farmer can get one acre farm inputs and later harvest 15 bags of maize,” she said, noting that BOOST encourages use of organic manure for food production.

She says that, Food and Agriculture Organization deployed a Trainer of Framers (TOF) who would move around the county in sharing knowledge on how the project should be implemented.

“One of the benefits of the BOOST project was to sensitize farmers on the best farm practices, post- harvest practices and the importance of soil testing,” she said, adding that after undergoing FAO’s training she was able to identify best farming practices that have fit her farm.

Under the 3 years BOOST project, Barasa says that the group was able to receive training on Agroecology as one of the ways to fight climate change effects.

“Through this project farmers have been training on the importance of crop rotation, mulching and how to prevent soil erosion,” she said.

Gladys Mukhwana, a Trainer of farmers (TOF) under BOOST project in her address said that she has sensitized farmers on the importance of transition from inorganic to organic way of farming. Dr. Joseph Othieno, Communications Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said that BOOST project is benefiting 40,000 farmers in the five counties where the project is being implemented.

Othieno noted that the project is being implemented in line with the 13 principles of Agroecology to boost soil health. The 13 principles of Agroecology includes; recycling, in put reduction, soil health, animal health, biodiversity, synergy, economic diversification, participation, land and natural resource governance, connectivity, fairness, social values and diets and co-creation of knowledge.

Further, Dr. Othieno reveals that the main objectives of the BOOST project is to boost sustainable food production through Agroecology practices and access to subsidized agricultural inputs, technologies and services.

He notes that with the SDGs intrinsic to FAO’s overall theory of change, the organization is vitally invested in advancing them. Consequently, the strategic framework adopted in July 2021 seeks to support the 2030 agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.

This approach has been synthesized as better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Othieno said that in the 3 years project, FAO is working with accredited Agro- dealers who help in sharing information and supplying farmers with certified seeds that perform well in the counties that the project is implemented.

Renny Okungu, an Agro- dealer based in Kimilili, said his Agro- vet was picked by FAO to help in supplying farmers with farm inputs noting that it has helped him raise his profit margin from Sh50, 000 to Sh90, 000.

Dr. Stella Wabwoba, Bungoma’s deputy director Agribusiness and nutrition, said that in Bungoma, BOOST project is being implemented in Kimilili and Mt Elgon Sub counties with a distribution of 123 groups affirming that all small holder farmers associated with those groups have benefited from the project.

In Kimilili Sub County, she reports that 1,780 have benefited.

“The farmers who have greatly benefited with farm inputs in Kimilili are 1,780 while 2,000 have also benefited with training,” she said.

Dr. Wabwoba warned farmers against selling all farm produce adding that apart from growing the two crops; maize and beans supported by the BOOST project, farmers using Agroecology knowledge obtained to plant other crops; Groundnuts, peas, vegetables, bananas, cassava and sweet potatoes.