Earth Markets the way to go in promoting safe, clean food
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A Nakuru-based lobby group is pushing to have organic products markets set up in all the sub counties in Nakuru.
Slow Food Kenya says these markets play key role in shaping Agro-ecology farming systems.
The organization that has been sensitizing farmers on organic farming, this is the only way to ensure Food security and food safety.
Samson Ngugi from Slow Food Kenya says the Earth Markets serve as a platform not only for farmers to sell their organically grown products but also to share information with other farmers.
Ngugi was speaking in Nakuru on August 16, 2023 during Earth Market event that saw farmers exchange information.
“We want to ensure the knowledge on Agro-ecology farming systems is shared across and that is why we want these markets launched across all the sub counties,” he said.
Agro-ecology farming systems are systems that do not use harmful chemicals to the soil.
Already such markets have been established in Gilgil’s Langalanga estate as well as within Nakuru City.
The Markets dubbed ‘Earth Markets’ serve as an avenue where organic farmers can share information.
Speaking in Nakuru on Wednesday during such open market, organic farmers drawn from various sub counties lauded the move to have such forums.
Mary Mwaniki from Ngorika area ventured into organic farming way back in 2018 after receiving training on the same.
Specializing in hash avocado, sweet potatoes and dania farming using organic fertilizers made from her farm, Mary notes that this is the way to go in ensuring clean food.
In an interview Mary says with the right information on organic farming, then the country can have enough safe food both for markets and domestic consumption.
“I can proudly state here that organic farming is the way to go as a country if we want to have clean and safe food in the country,” she says.
At the same is Florida Muthoni- who is focused on value addition.
Florida who is the founder Sonia’s Natural porridge Ventures says she buys her ingredients such as flour from the organic farmers.
She terms organic farming as cheap since farmers can get manure from the animals such as cows, rabbits and poultry on the farm.
“Organic farming is cheaper as farmers get manure from the farm and this makes even the food grown to be safe,” she says.
The training received by these farmers is also passed on to others.
Lilian Kibochi from Wanyororo B in Bahati sub county notes that since they received the trainings on matters organic farming, they have taken upon themselves to pass the same to other groups of farmers in community.
She says farmers are now able to make their own fertilisers on the farm from animals’ waste and use it for agriculture on the same farm.
“Here farmers rely on the farm for everything including manure that is rich and helps maintain the soil fertility unlike artificial fertilizers that cause harm to the soil after many years of use,” she says.
Sentiments echoed by Stephen Muthui Martin Kamau who are new converts of organic farming.
They among the over 15,000 farmers that have received trainings courtesy Slow Food Kenya.
Slow Food Kenya has continued to train farmers on Agro-ecology farming systems that include soil check, domestic manure preparation as well as seed selection and seed banking for better farming.
The organization is now pushing to have such Earth Markets/Agro-ecology markets launched in all the sub counties.
” The Markets are a platform to reach more farmers with information on Agro-ecology farming systems,” says Ngugi.
With a knack for captivating storytelling, Amos Lumbasi has a talent for crafting narratives that resonate with readers. He combines meticulous research with a captivating writing style to create articles that are both informative and enjoyable to read.
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