NCCK Combating Food Insecurity in Kitui County
Press Release
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has taken effective measures to combat food insecurity in Kitui County through distribution of 17 metric tonnes of certified seeds of drought-resistant crops to 2,160 farming households.
Each of the households received 4 kilograms of green grams and 4 kilograms of cowpeas, which is adequate to plant an acre of land with each type of seeds.
Overall, the farmers are projected to harvest 15,120 bags of green grams (1360 tonnes) and 15,120 bags of cowpeas (1166 tonnes).
The distribution of the seeds to the farmers follows six months of training on climate-resilient agriculture coupled with nature-based restoration of the environment.
According to the Kitui County Agri-Nutrition Implementation Strategy (2023 – 2027), most families in the county are nutrition-challenged. 1 in every 4 children are stunted, minimum acceptable diet is at 22%, and minimum dietary diversity is at 32.8%. The level of food self-sufficiency is rated at 51%, while 10% of the population are absolutely food insecure.
The food insecurity has in part been driven by the low update of viable farm inputs, with only 15% of the farmers using certified seeds. As a result, an acre of green grams produces only two 90 kilogram bags against a potential of 7.
The distribution of the seeds is part of a broader Nature Positive project that is seeking to boost livelihoods by strengthening adaptation and mitigation to climate change and also restoring and sustaining biodiversity in Kitui County. The project is being implemented by NCCK in partnership with Canadian Food Grain Bank (CFGB) through the United Church of Canada (UCC).
The exercise was overseen by Athi Ward Administrator, Festus Kilonzo, accompanied by the Chief, and members of the Project Management Committee.
Distribution of the 17 metric tonnes of seeds came just a few days after the NCCK donated 60 water tanks, each with a 10,000 liter capacity, to 28 schools and 32 churches in the area. The tanks were flagged off by the Governor of Kitui County, HE Dr Julius Malombe, and the NCCK General Secretary, Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui.
Signed on this 28th day of October, 2024 at Jumuia Place, Nairobi
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui
GENERAL SECRETARY
