Kitui County Governor Dr. Julius Malombe has called on local farmers to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies. These practices aim to sustainably increase productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enable communities to build resilience to climate change.
During the official opening of the Kitui Agricultural Show and Trade Fair at Ithokwe Showground in Kitui Central Constituency, Governor Malombe emphasized the severe impacts of climate change on food production and local livelihoods. He highlighted that the agricultural sector, heavily reliant on rain-fed farming, has been particularly affected by extreme weather conditions and erratic rainfall, resulting in reduced crop productivity, food and nutrition insecurity, and increased vulnerability of rural communities.
“Climate change is an undeniable reality posing significant challenges globally, and we need to implement effective mitigation measures,” stated Malombe. He urged farmers and visitors to explore the various climate-smart practices and technologies showcased at the event, which included zai pits, drought-tolerant crops, farm ponds, ripping, kitchen gardening, and pasture production.
Governor Malombe reiterated the importance of agriculture to both the national and county economies. Nationally, agriculture contributes 20 percent directly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 27 percent indirectly through its linkages with other sectors. In Kitui County, the agricultural sector contributes 40 percent to the county’s GDP and provides income to 83 percent of the rural population, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ Gross County Product 2019.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. It employs 40 percent of the total population and above 70 percent of the rural populace,” Malombe noted. He also highlighted the significant role agricultural shows play in fostering networking and strategic partnerships among farmers, entrepreneurs, investors, consumers, and learners, thus unlocking the full potential of the sector.
The Kitui Agricultural Show and Trade Fair, part of the governor’s flagship project “The Kitui Promise,” aims to highlight innovations in agricultural practices, machinery, and trade linkages. The event also provides an opportunity for interaction with government agencies and leaders, while appreciating the cultural diversity of the people.
“This year’s theme, ‘Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture for Food & Nutrition Security and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth,’ underscores our commitment to prioritizing climate resilience in our agricultural practices,” Malombe explained. He encouraged farmers to shift from reliance on rain-fed agriculture to irrigated agriculture, which he identified as a key intervention for transforming agriculture and improving food security.
Governor Malombe acknowledged the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture, contributing to high poverty levels and the current high cost of living, particularly in rural areas. “Agricultural productivity has stagnated even as our population increases,” he said, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to enhance productivity and profitability.
To address these challenges, the county government is focused on creating an enabling environment for farmers and traders to engage in climate-smart agriculture value chains. This initiative aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, The Kitui Promise, and the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), all of which prioritize agriculture and trade for strategic socio-economic interventions.
Governor Malombe concluded by urging local farmers to learn from each other’s experiences and success stories to collectively build a stronger and more resilient agricultural sector in Kitui County. “By adopting innovative technologies and practices, we can enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, and contribute to global climate change mitigation,” he added.
The Kitui Agricultural Show and Trade Fair continues to serve as a pivotal platform for advancing agricultural innovation and fostering economic growth in the region.
