Bitange Ndemo Promises to Make Arid Areas in Kenya Produce Food Through Modern Technology

• There is hope for Kenya’s arid and semi arid areas if the country uses modern technology to transform agriculture
• That is what Kenya’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Luxembourg Dr. Bitange Ndemo is promising to channel his efforts towards
• Ndemo indicated that he is working on a collaboration with Belgian universities to transform the agricultural sector in Kenya through improving soil quality and fertility

Kenya’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Luxembourg Dr. Bitange Ndemo has promised to make Kenya one of the most robust food baskets in the coming years.

This, he says, will be achieved through infusing technology and research in collaboration with Belgian universities to transform the agricultural sector.

The ambassador made the sentiments during his address to the Kenya diaspora leadership forum launch in Brussels.

According to Dr. Ndemo, that new approach will go a long way in ensuring that arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya become the leading food basket of the country.

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Among things he hopes to leverage modern technology and design to improve are soil quality and fertility.

Kenyan gov’t vouching for GMO

His sentiments come hot on the heels of a new government directive issued by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the country’s foreign policy will be centered on agri-business.

On top of that, President William Ruto’s government recently announced plans to lift the ban on Genetically Modified Organisms, “GMO” crops and farming.

It is a declaration that has been received with both support and criticism, with opponents vouching for organic farming for the sake of protecting future generation.

Ndemo added that 70% of his responsibilities will be to find new markets for Kenya’s agricultural produce.

3.1m Kenyans facing starvation

Data indicates that an estimated 3.1 million Kenyans living in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) are facing severe food insecurity due to three consecutive poor rainy seasons that have affected crop production.

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Ndemo’s promise comes as a ray of hope for leaders who have been calling on the government to intervene in the biting drought in several parts of the country.

The thing about the scorching heat is that it not only causes starvation and malnourishment but also affects other aspects of life like education.

One such example is in Mbeere, Embu county, where residents expressed concerns that snakes and monkeys have invaded their households in search of food and water.

Source: TUKO.co.ke