Mechanise harvesting of millet and Sorghum crops to attract the youth

Kiambu,

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

KNA by Wangari Ndirangu

Today, Kenya joined the world in commemorating World Food Day 2023 under the theme, "Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind."

Farmers in Eastern part of the country and who have diversified their crops producing various varieties of cereal grain plants such as sorghum and Millet are calling on government to supply farmers with mechanised tools for harvesting the crops not only to cut on post-harvest losses but also to ease the work and attract the youth.

According to the farmers who had gathered to commemorate the day at the KALRO Kiboko Research Centre, the crops do not require much rain and are doing very well in the area but production is still low since the young people who represent around 60 percent have not embraced the farming because of challenge of harvesting the crop.

Various traditional methods of processing are still widely used, particularly in these parts of the semi-arid tropics where sorghum and millet are grown and the techniques are laborious, monotonous and carried out by hand.

Samuel Nzongolo an aging farmer from , Kibwezi East told KNA that as a farmer who grows millet ,sorghum and green grams he does not regret planting the crop as it has ready market after the harvest but what worries him is whether it will attract the young people when they are long gone since it is very tiring and requires hard work when harvesting with hands.

Nzongolo urged the government to consider getting farmers combine harvesters for the crops so that many youths can embrace agriculture.

“ The youth want it easy, are in the technology world and therefore should be enticed to join farming by introducing mechanized system of harvesting of these crops and am sure they will embrace it” , Nzongolo said.

He said that he used to plant maize but due to change of weather and lack of rain with minimal produce he started growing sorghum, Millet and Green grams that do very well and have a ready market, the only challenge hindering them harvesting .

Africa Harvest Biotechnology Foundation International (Africa Harvest) representative Esther Ndunge said this year being declared "International Year of the Millets” which is a group of hardy cereal grains, such as sorghum, finger millet, and pearl millet, has garnered increasing recognition for their potential to revolutionize approach to food production, nutrition, and climate resilience.

“These resilient crops hold the key to thriving in water-scarce conditions, making them perfectly suited to this year's theme,” she said adding that Africa Harvest has been Scaling Commercialization of Drought Tolerant Crops Technologies program popularly referred to as DTC 4 Youth Jobs Creation programme .

In Kenya, she noted that the programme implemented by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with ICRISAT, and KUZA One, leverages a comprehensive value chain integration strategy, providing opportunities for young Kenyans in agriculture offering the most promising avenue for sustainable employment for the youth. 

“ We are focusing on eight key agricultural value chains, including sorghum, finger millet, pearl millet, groundnuts, pigeon pea, green grams, poultry, and fish, along with mechanization,” she said .

Ndunge added that the value chains span ten counties in western and eastern Kenya, targeting over 150,000 young individuals offering hope and opportunity to the next generation, particularly in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.

“Through the innovative Trainer of Trainers (TOT) model, which fosters community-based expertise, we empower young farmers by providing training in various aspects of agriculture, from seed production and agricultural best practices to enterprise development, mechanization, value addition, and marketing aimed to optimize productivity and returns per unit of input, fostering sustainability and ensuring that no one is left behind on the path to progress.

The programme she added has developed an infographic-based communication tool to simplify income-generating opportunities for young participants, enabling them to make informed decisions. This tool empowers our youth and ensures that they are not excluded from the benefits of agricultural progress.

“In this age of digital transformation, the programme harnesses technology to secure its long-term impact. Real-time data collection is facilitated through an ODK-based digital platform in collaboration with research institutions, county governments, and private sector partners”, she said.  

She gave an example of Kennedy Joseph, a young farmer from Siaya County who through the program, began planting sorghum seed and today he earns five times his previous income transforming his life.

According to Africa Harvest, millets and other resilient crops hold the promise of a nourished future and can ensure that no one is left behind on the journey towards a hunger-free world and Ndunge urged all to reflect on the vital connection between water and food, and the potential of millets to transform the world. 

Courtesy; KNA