MaximsNewsNetwork: KENYA RICE FARMING "WORLD FOOD DAY" FAI

MaximsNewsNetwork: 16 October 2009 - United Nations FAO: Today is World Food Day. An FAO irrigation project in western Kenya shows what a difference small investments in agriculture can make. Rice is an important staple in Kenya, and demand is growing. Yet the country produces less than a third of what it needs, and relies on imports to make up the difference. Over the past year, Kenya has faced post-election violence, drought and the relentless onslaught of HIV / AIDs, as well as consistently high fuel and food prices. Rice is an important staple in Kenya, and demand is growing. Yet the country produces less than a third of what it needs, and relies on imports to make up the difference. So in July 2008 when the UN Food and Agriculture Organizations Initiative on Soaring Food Prices launched a project worth 500 000 US dollars, part of the funding was used to revive rice farming. The renovation of an irrigation scheme left abandoned since the 1990s, together with FAOs provision of inputs and training, has brought remarkable results. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Omanga, National Consultant, Crop Production, FAO-Kenya office: The farmers harvested on average 35 bags per acre. Previously they used to harvest 10 to 15 bags per acre. Until last year, the people of Ahero in western Kenya were living in poverty. But by assisting 540 farming families, the FAO project has transformed the whole community of around 20,000 people. There are more jobs now, especially for young people and widows without land of their own; more money is flowing through the local economy; and more rice is available at the markets. Buyers now include the World Food Programme, which bought 40 metric tonnes of rice as part of their Purchase for Progress initiative, which links low-income farmers with markets. But farmers in Ahero will have to lower their prices if they are to compete on the market. More investments are needed to reduce costs such as machinery hire and electricity. Power is extremely expensive and it is also rationed, sometimes leaving the pumps inactive for days. SOUNDBITE (Swahili) Nelly Odago, rice farmer: If we had more support with the scheme, and avoided expenses like paying for electricity used by the pump, and used the gravity water instead then we would save more and plant other crops like maize. And since this is one Kenya then we would feed those who do not have. The revival of rice farming in Ahero demonstrates how even fairly small investments in agricultural development really do pay off in terms of poverty and hunger reduction. This is a much needed glimmer of hope, at a time when drought is killing livestock and withering crops in other parts of the country. But in Ahero, local farmers are confident that with the right resources, the situation will continue to improve. SOUNDBITE (English) John Mike Ocharo Chairman of Farmers Association: As of now, we are trying to reduce poverty. As you can remember, we only harvested last year and this year, this is the second time. If we can manage to have a bumper harvest like the other time, then we will be OK within 5 years. Ahero will be very much OK. Work for the second rice season has already begun. And with plans to intensify cropping next year with maize, sorghum, mung beans and tomatoes, the rice farmers of Ahero are going from strength to strength. MaximsNewsNetwork: News Network for the United Nations and the International Community. See: http://www.MaximsNews.com. "GIVING POWER & RESONANCE TO THE VOICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY" .