Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has set plans in motion to introduce organic farming of groundnuts in Western Kenya through development of a short course for farmers. This was part of the discourse steered by retired Professor of Agriculture, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Prof. Hars-Peter Piorr on Tuesday 25th January while at MMUST.
Prof. Hars-Peter Piorr said that organic farming plays a huge role in the sustainable development goals and should therefore be embraced internationally, especially in Kenya. The Professor, a staunch researcher in organic farming and renewable energies, emphasized on the link between the two in encouraging eco-friendly farming which is socio-economically beneficial to farmers. He said that he established the fact that the groundnuts produced in Kenya are tastier and highly marketable for exportation to other countries such as Germany.
“Globalization has ensured that countries are highly interconnected. We need to know how to live with one another and learn from one another,” he said.
The professor of Agriculture said that the proposed short course for farmers will be preceded by a base-line survey and student-lectures on organic farming in order to sensitize students regarding organic farming and establish the level of knowledge in organic farming by farmers in the region. He added that there is a need to form common interest groups for farmers and visit them to discuss their problems and interests.
“This is a big University. We can develop the technology, educational strategies and baseline survey on organic farming,” said Prof.Hars-Peter.
Prof. Hars-Peter Piorr discusses a point with the Registrar Planning Research and Innovation Prof. Alice Ndiema, COD Veterinary Science and Technology, Dr. Vitalis Ogemah during their meeting.
Speaking during the meeting, the Registrar, Planning Research and Innovation, Prof. Alice Ndiema reiterated Prof. Hars-Peter’s views, emphasizing on the vitality of the baseline survey in creating datasets that will be useful in the development of the short course. According to Prof. Ndiema, formation of students’ clubs on organic farming will help in the sensitization process. She added that other key players in agriculture such as Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)- Kakamega will also play a huge role in training and demonstrations.
“We want to make a difference in our homes and environment by ensuring that farmers are able to earn a living from farming and for subsistence,” said Prof.Ndiema.
The Chairman of the Department-Agro-Industrial Technology in the School of Agriculture, Veterinary Science and Technology, Dr. Vitalis Ogemah, said that the students have learnt conventional agriculture. However, there is a need to raise awareness on organic farming. Dr. Ogemah added that the current curriculum can be improved to ensure graduates get a good understanding of organic farming, through introduction of elective courses.
This is part of the projects under the Practice Oriented University Education in Western Kenya (ProUniEdu-Wek), in collaboration with Brandenburg and Magdeburg Universities.
