The UK government has launched a project in the Rift Valley and Western, Kenya, which will provide farmers with weather updates via SMS and subsequently help them plan their agricultural activities. The platform known as the Western Wiser Project is expected to benefit more than 300,000 farmers.
It is being piloted in Trans Nzoia, Siaya, Kisumu and Kakamega counties.
Calistas Wachana, the meteorology officer in Trans Nzoia, said
farmers will also get other relevant information.
“Under the project, farmers will be asked the kind of information they need, especially on weather. They will then receive the updates through the SMS on a weekly basis,” Wachana said.
Wachana said farmers in sub-Saharan Africa incur heavy losses due to the effects of weather.
The Agriculture ministry is using Uasin Gishu county as a model in a number of pilot projects to improve national food security and help farmers diversify crops.
Agriculture CS Willy Bett and Governor Jackson Mandago have agreed that the ministry will partner with the county on development of horticulture farming and production of fresh produce for export.
Bett said they will roll out avocado farming in the region.
He said there is an extensive market for the fruits in Europe and Asia.
He said more than 100 youth groups have been empowered to start tree nurseries.
Source: the-star.co.ke
