Migori:Tobacco farming has long posed significant health risks in Kenya, contributing to conditions such as liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular diseases, and lung cancer, resulting in over 6,000 deaths annually. Despite government efforts to curb tobacco usage through legislation like the Tobacco Control Act of 2007 and economic measures such as excise duty taxation, tobacco remains prevalent, with many farmers in regions like Migori continuing its cultivation.
According to Kenya News Agency, to address these challenges, the government, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has introduced the Tobacco-Free Farms initiative. This program aims to provide alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers by transitioning them to other crops. The initiative targets tobacco-growing counties, including Migori, Busia, Bungoma, Meru, and Embu.
In a recent effort to support this transition, farmers from Embu County visited Migori to learn from their counterparts who have successfully shifted to growing more nutritious crops like beans and sunflower. Julius Opiyo, a former tobacco farmer from Uriri Sub County, shared his experience of joining a farmers’ hub, which facilitated access to seeds and expert guidance for alternative crops.
Mwita Nyabuge from Ntimaru Sub County recounted how switching to Nyota beans improved his financial stability, allowing him to support his family’s education. The visit was led by Steven Mbogi, head of the Embu farmers’ delegation, who emphasized the urgent need to combat tobacco farming’s adverse health effects, including severe respiratory illnesses.
The Tobacco-Free Farms initiative, officially launched in Embu this year, aims to replicate Migori’s success. Calvins Otieno, a WHO Field Coordinator, highlighted the environmental benefits of moving away from tobacco, which traditionally relies on wood fuel for curing, thus contributing to deforestation.
Migori County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Lucas Mosenda, affirmed the local government’s commitment to supporting the transition by providing seeds and deploying agricultural officers to assist farmers. He expressed openness to collaborating with international organizations like WHO to achieve a complete transition to alternative crops across the county.
