Harvest Hope as Service Providers Trained
Residents of Tharaka Nithi County are hoping for better harvests this season following a refresher training for 36 service providers by the Conservation Agriculture project being implemented by the NCCK.
The service providers, drawn from Nkondi, Marimanti, Chiakariga, Mukothima and Gatuga wards, were trained on preparation of planting basins, zai pits, ripping and mulching. This was in addition to learning how to calibrate well when spraying.
When coordinating the one day training, Farmer Gerald Ndumba facilitated discussion session during which the service providers shared success stories from their operations. Some of the challenges they have faced included sloppy and stony grounds and lack oxen to use in the ripping.
Service providers are selected from their farmer groups to be trained so as to support the group members with the skills acquired. This has reduced the potential investment burden on the farmers who do not have to individually acquire the equipment or cattle for servicing their lands only.
Through the Conservation Agriculture project, the NCCK in partnership with United Church of Canada and Canadian Food Grains Bank, is empowering 7,200 farming households in Tharaka Nithi County. The households have improved their food sufficiency from 7 months to 12 months and noticeably reduced use of environmentally destructive practices.
