Velvet bean helps farmers cut cost of fertiliser usage

For years farmers with degraded soils in Nyanza have had to rely on fertiliser from the shops to boost their soil health or nutrients. But now farmer Sophia Akelo says they have discovered that the mucuna bean or velvetbean, can be used as  green manure to help rebuild soils nutrients quickly. [Kepher Otieno, Standard]

When The Smart Harvest and Technology team visits, Sophia Akello is busy weeding in her farm in Chiga, Kibos village in Kisumu County. She grows Velvet bean, (scientifically known as Mucuna Pruriens) alongside arrow roots.

“I love these crops. They have changed my life. I no longer need to buy expensive fertiliser and herbicides,” she says, with pride. But why does she love the plant?