A large-scale, climate-induced, humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the Horn of Africa, and 3.1 million people in Kenya are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. As
of March 2022, 14 million people are severely food insecure in the Horn of Africa, and acute malnutrition rates have increased considerably, affecting 5.5 million children Through a collaborative effort with we are experimenting with one answer to the massive problem of hunger in Kenya by promoting drought tolerant crops (millet, sorghum, groundnuts) uptake.
Our multistakeholder, intercultural and interfaith groups have identified hunger as the main problem needs urgent attention by investing in production. With the help of our partners Africa Harvest and INCRISAT, we have developed a model to replace the maize with drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum, millets, pigeonpea, cowpea and green gram in order to help farmers overcome the failure of rains and its damaging impact on maize. To promote drought-tolerant crops like millets and sorghum, farmers have been trained on good agricultural practices, post-harvest handling and value addition, and have been provided with quality seed of improved varieties. Capacity building of farmers and agricultural extension workers to promote production and utilization of sorghum, finger millet and groundnuts portends accessibility to quality community seed of the three crops being by farmers in Siaya County, Kenya. Tikvah engages in DTC due to the strong evidence available in favor of drought-resistant seeds. The demand for finger millet in Kenya is on the increase and women are benefiting from this trend.
“Ever since the scientists introduced us to the new varieties and showed us how to take good care of the crop, we have seen a big difference in production. In the past, we could harvest only 2-3 bags of maize but now we harvest up to 10 bags of finger millet per acre,” says Caroline Achieng from Central Gem Ward
Before the implementation of finger millet improvement activities the consumption and marketing of finger millet was on the decline especially due to low productivity of local varieties and lack of improved management options.
This is however changing as more and more farmers are adopting the improved high-yieldingvarieties and better crop management practices promoted by Africa Harvest, ICRISAT and partners in the region
In the past we would use the broadcasting method which made it very difficult to weed, but now we have been shown how to plant in rows and use small amounts of fertilizer. The new varieties and
the better crop care have led to much higher harvests. We now plant twice a year as the new varieties take only three months to mature. We have enough food. Our children are in good health thanks to the nutritious foods made from finger millet,” says Omollo.
We have 15 fully-functioning Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue teams who meet on a monthly basis to dialogue on issues of interests and come with solutions that can be implemented.
Our clarion call is “Peaceful and Self-reliant Communities” Since there are over 35 families who engage in the Home Gardening, cultivating indigenous vegetables for their personal consumption.
At a time when hunger has become a much larger problem worldwide, than it was prior to the pandemic, we need to address significant attention to this question.
We are working to narrow down our action to something that’s local and achievable. We anticipate improving on the diversity and quantity of production as well as doubling the number of home gardens. At the cost of $ 100 per household, we can shift the impact to greater level by having 150 or more functional home gardens among vulnerable households Siaya.
