Kalro trains special groups on climate smart farming

The project on climate-smart farming is focused on those most affected by climate change. [Christopher Kipsang,Standard]

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation is training widows, single mothers, people living with HIV, people with disability and youth on effects of climate change in Busia and Migori counties.

Kalro, through Cornell University, offers training on climate-smart farming methods and inputs to people living below the poverty line in the two counties.

Kalro Deputy Director General of crops Felista Makini said they launched the project on climate-smart farming as they focused on those most affected by climate change.

"Negative effects of climate change like prolonged drought and erratic rains are felt mostly by these groups and most mitigation effects are not geared towards them," said Ms Makini.

Kalro has offered climate-smart farming techniques using local fertilisers and soil conservation as it offered seed inputs including sorghum, millet and beans to farmers.

"We have offered traditional crops resilient to climate change and we will work with other stakeholders to ensure we get value addition to them," Makini said.

Paul Tana, a research scientist at Kalro said the seeds offered are improved and early maturing.

"The seeds have high yields even in climate adverse conditions. In the past, farmers said access to these seeds was not possible," Tana said.