Cassava growing for food security in Kenya

May, 2014

Maragua Division, Kenya

Dear Friends,

About 80% of Kenya’s population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for subsistence. In addition, unfortunately, approximately 80% of Kenya’s land is arid or semi-arid. Cassava has the great benefit of being drought resistant. Historically, research and development in cassava as a food staple has been weak due to poor staffing levels by government extension agents. Our community has been trying to overcome these limitations by directly disseminating information on the benefits of this crop in such a dry area as Maragua. In the nearly four years this project has been in existence, many community members have directly benefitted. One is Njoroge, Njoroge is a 24-year old man who recently adopted cassava cultivation. Unlike other farmers who are majorly cultivating cassava for its starch- filled root- tubers, he is growing cassava for its vitamins-rich leaves. Cassava leaves are gaining acceptance as alternative vegetables. Njoroge has just begun selling the leaves  and seems to have a great vision to reaching out to more customers especially in the urban centres. The leaves are an organic food as no fertilizers and farm chemicals are used in cassava cultivation. In addition, they are more nutritious as compared to the staple vegetables  such as kales and spinach. He says, " Healthy- food eating culture is fast being adopted in urban homes and that will definitely create a huge market for me."

Thank you for your continued support to help us achieve food security and to spread the word about the benefits of cassava.

With gratitude,

Michael

Links:

• PATHWAYS Leadership for Progress

February, 2014

Maragua Division, Kenya

Dear Friends,

It is yet another frustrating season to the Kenyan farmer. The season started well with farmers planting crops as rains began to fall in October last year. However, the rains subsided two months later in December. A maize/corn crop requires five months of rainfall to mature. This pre-dominant staple food has already began to wither and die off prematurely while in the field. County governments across Kenya have started issuing famine alerts such as “Food security among an estimated 45 percent of the population of the southeastern and coastal marginal agricultural livelihood zones will remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2) during the post-harvest period due to a far below average short rains harvest and its effects on agricultural labor and staple food markets.” However, farmers in our cassava project catchment area are cushioned from total losses.

In the photos is a local farmer, Mr. Francis Muchoki inspecting his drying maize crop. He is again seen admiring his cassava crop which has been able to withstand the drought conditions. He says, " I have learnt a lesson. I will henceforth do cassava cultivation only."

Thank you for your continued support to help us achieve food security and to spread the word about the benefits of cassava.

All the best.

Michael

Links:

• PATHWAYS Leadership for Progress