Kipkeikei: Kenyans have been urged to embrace environmental conservation measures in an effort to mitigate adverse effects of climate change. Speaking at Kipkeikei Boys Senior School in Cherangany Sub-county, Trans Nzoia County Director of Environment and Natural Resources, Godfrey Wekesa, singled out climate change as a significant threat to food security and challenged Kenyans to own environmental conservation efforts, among them tree planting.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wekesa noted that climate change has had substantial effects on the environment, health, agriculture, and many other sectors. He highlighted that prolonged droughts, unpredictable rainfall patterns, floods, and constant disease outbreaks affecting crops, livestock, and humans are increasing as a result of climate change. Wekesa emphasized the difficulties farmers face due to irregular weather patterns, particularly in Trans Nzoia, known as the country’s food basket.
However, Wekesa assured that the county government has implemented several mitigation measures, including distributing gas cylinders to households to curb deforestation caused by overdependence on firewood. He encouraged residents to collect and plant tree seedlings available in their offices, nurturing them to maturity for the benefit of future generations.
Deputy Director of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Dr. Thomas Kosiomo, urged farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices by using certified seeds and seeking professional agricultural advice to enhance productivity. He advised farmers to purchase only certified seeds approved by KEPHIS to ensure quality yields and reduce risks associated with counterfeit planting farm inputs. Dr. Kosiomo also recommended soil testing before planting to enable experts to recommend suitable fertilizers based on soil nutrient requirements.
Polly Loise, a sustainable agriculture expert, observed that farmers remain among the most vulnerable groups affected by climate change due to their dependence on natural resources and rainfall. She highlighted the negative impact of drying rivers, resulting from widespread destruction of forests and tree cover, on farming activities and food production. Loise also noted challenges faced by farmers in drying and storing harvested maize, leading to aflatoxin contamination.
Environmental advocate Mercyline Morara called on residents to stop cutting down trees, citing deforestation as a significant contributor to declining agricultural productivity and reduced rainfall. Morara urged farmers to plant more trees and adopt environmentally friendly farming practices to improve harvests and prevent food shortages. She encouraged the use of organic fertilizers to enhance soil health and promote safe food production.
Meanwhile, Christine Barasa, Leader of Slow Food Western Convivium, expressed concern over the gradual disappearance of indigenous vegetable varieties, warning of the potential loss of valuable traditional food crops for future generations. Barasa emphasized the importance of conserving indigenous seeds to build resilient food systems capable of withstanding the effects of climate change. She revealed that only about 210 traditional vegetable seed varieties remain, partly due to environmental degradation and habitat destruction.
