By Michael Murigi | Project Leader
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
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