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Scientific experts are urging Kenyan small farmers to adopt nature-based food production systems that ensure food security and climate resilience amid crises related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Mary Nyasimi, Executive Director of Adapting to Inclusive Climate Change for Sustainable Africa, based in Nairobi, ecologically friendly agricultural practices have the potential to protect rural farmers from the negative impacts of the pandemic and climate shocks.
As such, having agroecology incorporated into existing agricultural, food, environmental and climate change policies is important so that when implementation and budget allocations are made for such policies, agroecology can also be part of it.
The co-author of “The Potential of Agroecology to Build Climate-Resilient Food Systems and Livelihoods,” says that increased adoption of nature-based agricultural practices is key to addressing rural poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
Nyasimi said that small farmers should take advantage of compost manure, agroforestry and crop rotation to improve crop yields, restore soil fertility and maintain the health of vital ecosystems such as wetlands. Policy change combined with awareness targeting farmers and consumers is key to driving the adoption of agroecology at the smallholder level.
“Kenya needs strong consumer movements to defend agroecology farming practices,” Nyasimi said, adding that demand for organically grown food has gained traction in many African countries amid its health benefits.
Frank Eyhorn, executive director of the Biovision Foundation, said that a shift to agricultural practices that promote habitat conservation has the potential to lift Kenyan smallholders out of extreme poverty and protect them from climate stress.
“Decision-makers must reset the course towards agroecology and agrobiodiversity-based approaches in order to cope with climate change and provide farmers with a decent economic and social livelihood,” said Eyhorn.
