International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Rainforest Alliance is set to train 50, 000 farmers in Embu and Kirinyaga counties on conservation agriculture and crop diversification to boost their earnings.
The training targeting mainly tea and coffee farmers will among other things according to the organization Senior Director Julius Ng’ang’a train them on how to maximize production while maintaining soil fertility and water conservation through farming that promotes minimum tillage.
He said they will also assist them to plant trees in their farms to reduce water consumption, help retain water for crops and provide protection to watersheds.
Speaking in Embu while launching a governance board for collective planning actions towards the program, Ng’ang’a said they will also train them on diversification by introducing new crops that will help them shore up earnings.
He said the board christened Embu County Landscape Management Board will be charged with the mandate of spearheading environmental conservation to also help address climate change matters in the county.
The Director said that the board will also be in the frontline of offering advisory services on the activities that can be undertaken by the NGO to conserve the environment in Embu.
He said the board will also play a key role in resource mobilization towards the financing of the green enterprises that are supporting youth and women development in the county.
Another official, Susan Kinyua said a similar board had been constituted in Kirinyaga and more are on the way in the rest of the counties in Mt. Kenya Region and called on county governments to support the initiative.
Embu County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Water, Irrigation, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Florence Musyoka said the initiative was a huge boost to farmers in ensuring their venture becomes profitable.
STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT
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