As Kenya battles COVID-19, which has infected over 84,000 people and killed close to 1,500 others as of Wednesday, farmers are turning out to be among one of the unlikely heroes of the pandemic.
This is because the east African nation's food producers have kept the country's food stores full at one of the most critical times, ensuring that citizens do not worry about lack of produce.
From maize to potatoes, fruits and vegetables, Kenyan farmers have for the first time in many years produced food in plenty, making the country rely less on imports from neighbors Uganda and Tanzania.
The country is currently food sufficient, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, thanks to farming enthusiasm that gripped the nation during the pandemic period, boosted by reliable rains between March and May.
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In its latest food security report for November, the ministry notes that maize harvest in Kenya will this year rise 13 percent to 45 million bags, from 39.8 million 90 kg bags in 2019.
This would be the first time in close to a decade that the country has harvested a record number of bags of the staple consumed by millions of people.
"This time round I have produced more maize than I have ever had," farmer Geoffrey Aluvale, who is based in Kitale, western Kenya, said on the phone on Wednesday. "I farmed ten acres, up from my usual six and harvested some 140 bags," he added.
Besides the heavy rainfall that hit the east African nation during the March to May season, most farmers benefitted from ready labor offered by their children who returned home at the onset of the pandemic.
Aluvale observed that he has three children, two in upper primary school and the other in secondary, who came in handy when it came to farming activities.
"The children helped me with farm work during the period and continue to do so as they remain at home because of the pandemic," he said.
Hundreds of other smallholder farmers, either who are growing crops or keeping livestock across Kenya, share similar experiences as the pandemic provided an extended holiday for learners whose labor came in handy on the farm.
A majority of Kenyans who lost their jobs or were sent on compulsory leave following the pandemic turned to agribusiness for a living.
For those who farmed, this helped to boost food production of fast-growing crops like tomatoes, onions, capsicums and vegetables. Similarly, those who chose to sell food for a living offered a market for the products making an agribusiness boom.
"The pandemic has brought positive outcomes in the agriculture sector and farmers are truly turning out to be among the big heroes because of keeping food supply stable thus prices are low," said Beatrice Macharia of Growth Point, an agro-consultancy based in Kajiado, adding that like doctors who are at the frontline of the war, they should also be celebrated.
She pointed out that a switch to online agricultural consultancy services during the pandemic period due to restrictions to curb spread of the disease and the need to maintain social distancing helped ensure farmers access extension services faster boosting production.
On the platforms, farmers get prompt advice as well as a market for their products. "I want to grow watermelons for the first time. How many fruits does one get per plant? A farmer asked on a WhatsApp group on Wednesday. "Up to five, it is a profitable agribusiness as long as you ensure the plant does not end up with more than five flowers," an agronomist answered.
