There is a dire need to engage small scale farmers at grassroot level on not only how to access quality inputs but also the right information on how to use them towards improved production.
Margaret Wambui, the Operations Manager at the Mbegu Zetu Farmers Hub which has been key in bridging the information gap among farmers Nakuru county says a lot has to be done to improve production.
Speaking at Rumwe Farm in Njoro Sub County on Wednesday during the launch of an agri-business fair scheduled for 11th and 12th March, Wambui noted that if the information gap among farmers is addressed, then there will be more production hence food security.
“We realized that there was a gap in terms of information on products and services for the small scale farmers and that is why we stepped. This is an eye opener to the farmers in improving production” she said.
Sentiments echoed by Kipyegon Kipkemoi from Eastern Africa Grains Council- a private member of the Grains value chain stakeholders.
He said their partnership with Mbegu Zetu Farmers’ Hub is to ensure that farmers are empowered with the right information, linkages to traders and market in line with production.
“We have partnered with Mbegu Zetu just to ensure that farmers are well empowered before the next production season of March” said Kipyegon.
Since the inception of the process of bridging the information gap by Mbegu Zetu Hub in partnership with Eastern Africa Grains Council, farmers in Njoro are already a happy lot.
Joseph Koech, a small-scale farmer from Njoro Sub County is optimistic on the whole program of empowering farmers.
In an Interview with this writer at Rumwe Farm,Koech stated that “I am grateful for the information that they have given us all through. It is key to us farmers at grassroot towards improving production.”
Koech who engages in Maize, beans and potatoes farming says it all began with soil testing and using the right fertilizer on his farm.
His appeal to farmers in Njoro and surrounding to avail for the agri-business fair scheduled for 11th and 12th March so that they can learn more on how to improve production.
Another farmer and beneficiary Pauline Mugambi from Njoro is a witness that indeed field days for the farmers has been of great benefit to her as she has been able to embrace farming.
To her, farming is agri-business and it pays hence everyone should embrace agri-business for a transformative society.
“I want to appeal to everyone including our youths to embrace agri-business and it will transform their lives” said Ms Mugambi.