Mt. Kenya Region Unites to Promote Agro-Ecology for Better Health and Food Security

Kenya region have united under the Central Region Economic Block (CEREB) to champion agro-ecology. This initiative seeks to encourage the growth and consumption of organic food, free from harmful chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers, which can adversely affect both human health and the environment.

CEREB encompasses ten counties: Murang’a, Nyeri, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Laikipia, and Kiambu. The block’s Chief Executive Officer, Ndirangu Gachunia, emphasized that a significant portion of county budgets—between 35 and 40 percent—goes towards healthcare, particularly for managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Gachunia highlighted that these conditions can be mitigated through a diet of healthier, organic foods combined with an active lifestyle.

Gachunia spoke at Wakas Organic Demo Farm in Murang’a County, where he pointed out the challenge residents face in ensuring the organic food they purchase is genuinely free from harmful chemicals. To address this, CEREB is developing a food traceability mechanism to allow consumers to track the origins of their food back to certified agro-ecological farms. This initiative also includes issuing certificates of origination to streamline trade and reduce regional trade barriers.

A key issue raised by Gachunia was the high cost of distributing branded goods within the region. He noted that even neighboring counties impose prohibitive licensing fees, which add to the costs of goods and hinder trade. CEREB is advocating for reduced charges to foster easier and more affordable trade within the region.

During a recent visit by County Executive Committee (CEC) Members for Agriculture and Directors of Agriculture from CEREB counties, the group observed innovative farming practices at the demo farm, where local materials are used to produce eco-friendly pesticides and manure. This visit aimed to inspire other counties to adopt similar agro-ecological practices.

Murang’a County Director of Agriculture, Daniel Gitahi, a strong advocate for agro-ecology, expressed the region’s commitment to supporting the food system transformations aligned with Kenya’s 2021 Food Systems Summit goals. Gitahi emphasized the importance of integrating agro-ecology into sustainable agriculture and mentioned the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform in Murang’a to advance this agenda.

Nationally, efforts are being made to support agro-ecology, such as the commitment to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to combat carbon emissions. The validation of Kenya’s national agro-ecology strategy by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KARLO) is expected to provide a framework for broader adoption of these practices.

Martin Muriuki, Director of the Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE), commended the CEREB initiative and shared ICE’s experience in promoting agro-ecology across Kenya. ICE has successfully supported various counties in establishing food security and climate resilience, with thousands of farmers embracing non-chemical farming practices.

Hans Von Zinkernagel, a Project Manager at Bio-vision, a Swiss organization promoting healthy food production, praised Murang’a County’s legal framework for agro-ecology. Zinkernagel highlighted that while African countries are leading in adopting agro-ecological practices, similar efforts in Brazil and India are also noteworthy.

In conclusion, the Mt. Kenya region’s collective push towards agro-ecology represents a proactive approach to improving public health and food security. By fostering the growth of organic food and creating systems to verify its authenticity, CEREB aims to set a precedent for sustainable agricultural practices both within Kenya and beyond.