Kitui County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr. Mbaya Kimwele, has called on farmers to continue embracing climate smart agriculture technologies to withstand the growing impacts of climate change. He noted that with meteorological reports warning of reduced and unreliable rainfall, farmers must be prepared to adjust their farming methods accordingly.
Speaking during a press briefing at his office in Kitui, Dr. Mbaya cautioned that unless farmers adopt Technologies, Innovations, and Management Practices that build resilience abd adaptation to climate changes, they risk suffering repeated losses. He emphasized that the era of depending on traditional, rain-fed farming is quickly fading as climatic patterns continue to shift and hence to shift to irrgated agriculture
Dr. Mbaya highlighted alternative farming ventures such as goat rearing, beekeeping, pasture production,poultry production, agroforestry and irrigated agriculture as viable options for farmers in the semi-arid county. He urged households to diversify into these climate-resilient enterprises to improve income stability and enhance food security.
The agriculture CEC further outlined the benefits of climate-smart agriculture, including improved yields, efficient use of limited water resources, and protection of soils in the face of harsh weather conditions. He encouraged farmers to remain open to innovation and adopt technologies tailored to Kitui’s unique environment.
Dr. Mbaya affirmed the County Government’s commitment to working closely with development partners and the national government to train farmers on modern agricultural technologies. He said these collaborations will ensure farmers acquire the requisite knowledge and tools needed to boost production even when rainfall is insufficient through continuous training and capacity building by agricultural extension officers. He asked farmers to optimize already existing structures built by county government such as sand dams, boreholes, dams to irrigate their farms.
He further urged farmers to join organized farmers groups and farmer cooperatives as it the vehicle which has many benefits.
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