County Government banking on Spirulina to fight malnutrition

Nakuru

Tuesday July 25, 2023

KNA by Jane Ngugi and Dennis Rasto

The County Government of Nakuru is exploring partnerships with the state of Israel to facilitate the transfer of innovative agricultural technologies that will address food security challenges and nutrition within the devolved unit.

Governor Susan Kihika has disclosed that her administration is working with the Middle East nation to promote the cultivation of Spirulina, which she said will be used as a supplement in the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) School feeding program.  

Ms. Kihika indicated that through Israel’s Engineers without Borders (EWB), the embassy has initiated a Spirulina cultivation program, focusing on growing on a pilot basis the protein-rich blue algae in Njoro Sub-county. 

While indicating that Keriko Secondary School had already received certification from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) to grow Spirulina, Ms. Kihika stated that the County Government was promoting its cultivation as part of a broader green nutritional revolution to address malnutrition among school-going children and improve education standards. 

Spirulina is an aquatic micro-organism plant often referred to as algae, though it more closely resembles bacteria. It is used as a food supplement to combat malnutrition. 

“This cyanobacterium is nutrient-dense and is often used as a dietary supplement. It has extremely high protein levels and is packed full of beneficial vitamins including B vitamins and vitamin K, as well as minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc. All of these factors make it perfect for eradicating malnutrition. We want it to be an essential element of the meals at our early childhood development centers,” stated the Governor.

Ms. Kihika said the county is exploring potential partnerships with Israel for a sustainable feeding program for children in Early Childhood Education (ECDE) schools. 

The governor made the remarks after holding a meeting with the Israeli ambassador to Kenya Mr Michael Lotem, his spouse Ms Yahel Margovsky Lotem, and a representative of EWB Ms Yarrow Farachi at the County headquarters in Nakuru. 

She added, “We are seeking assistance from the Government of Israel to partner with them in providing nutritious meals for over 60,000 children in our ECDE schools,” she stated. 

EWB is an Israeli organization that consists of engineers and technical professionals who volunteer their skills to support various humanitarian projects worldwide. 

The Governor thanked the Embassy for pledging to mobilize a team of other experts from Israel to expand Spirulina farming and uptake as a key ingredient in meals for ECDE children.

“The project has gained momentum in schools around Njoro, and we are committed to transforming Nakuru County into a hub for Spirulina growth to foster food security in the county,” she noted. 

Furthermore, she emphasized that the program would have a positive impact on local economies by creating employment opportunities, particularly in farming and kitchen activities.

Spirulina grows naturally in rivers. However, outside its natural habitat, it is grown in a greenhouse as it also does well in a controlled environment. It’s typically grown in large, shallow tanks where it can receive plenty of sunlight, and the water in the tanks needs to be constantly stirred or aerated to prevent the Spirulina from clumping together.

The temperature of the water also needs to be carefully regulated, as Spirulina prefers warm water around 30°C. Additionally, it’s important to use high-quality water sources and to carefully monitor the nutrients in the water to ensure that the Spirulina has all the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Spirulina takes only five days to grow to maturity and be ready for harvest. Since the market for this dietary supplement is there both locally and globally, the County Government has announced it will initiate training about Spirulina farming.

Spirulina is currently cultivated in many countries around the world including the United States, Japan, India, China, Thailand, Chile, France, and many other countries. The largest producers of Spirulina are currently China and India, but there are many smaller-scale Spirulina farms in many other countries.

The Governor said such investments can help boost the balance of trade, which currently tilts in favor of Israel.

“It is our desire to see the volume of trade between our two countries grow even larger,” she stated.

“Nakuru has numerous investment opportunities and as a country, we are open to investors," Ms Kihika said.

Meanwhile, through the Israeli Agency for International Development Cooperation, hundreds of Kenyans have undergone training in water management, medicine, agriculture, and engineering.

Ambassador Lotem said Israel will continue partnering with Kenya, in exploring solutions that will make the two countries resilient in food supply even in unprecedented and challenging times. 

While noting that Covid-19 had exposed a global economic crisis, making the world food insecure, Mr. Lotem said it was important for the two countries to strive to achieve food security through agricultural practices and modern technologies that do not adversely affect the environment and the climate.

Lotem stated that Kenya and Israel had signed agreements on irrigation and agriculture, in a move to strengthen ties between Nairobi and Tel Aviv.

The envoy said Israel was keen to partner with the County Government and explore ways of training farmers in the region on the advancement of climate-smart technologies and best practices to improve productivity.

He singled out climate change, widespread global desertification and water crises, and the extinction of animal and plant species as external factors that were affecting agriculture.

The envoy said cooperation between Israel and the county government will facilitate skills and technology transfer that will boost local water technology, agriculture extension services and improve weather forecasting for farmers.

Lotem observed that tough climatic conditions had forced Israel to adapt creative technologies to bloom the desert, thus becoming a leader in innovative agriculture.

“Moving to irrigated farming would increase the crop yield, save water and greenhouse gases, and, over time, create food security. It is worth noting that to date, most agricultural crops in many parts of the world are still grown by “dry farming”, that is farming that is reliant on rain,” he said.

The discussions between the Governor and the Israel ambassador also centered on digitizing the devolved unit’s health systems, training medical staff, and upgrading and fitting medical laboratories with diagnostic equipment. 

Mr. Lotem pointed out that Kenya and Israel were also partnering in the security, Information Technology, health, tourism and trade sectors. 

The two further deliberated on developing affordable housing, water and sanitation, transport, green energy, urban mobility and agriculture.

Courtesy ; K. N. A