KENYA is stepping up research in science and technology to increase food productivity in a bid to counter perennial droughts.
It is through science and technology research that the country’s perennial food scarcity and water shortages in some remote areas, can be addressed.
The implementation of proper short-term crop hybrid varieties can also help minimize hunger.
“Weather patterns are changing at a faster pace so much that the outlook is also catching up with our agricultural sector, thereby threatening our livelihoods.
“Instead of depending on food handouts as is the case with most African countries, as Kenya we would like to come up with our own mechanisms of addressing food shortages and perennial drought spells,” said Marvelous Waweru.
Waweru’s remarks are in support of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is advocating use of nuclear crop breeding technologies in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and many drought prone countries in the world, saying this would be a viable solution to food shortages.
“I believe the skills being imparted by IAEA in trying to address hunger in most parts of the world, more precisely Africa, Kenya included, we hope this is the kind of research our continent should embrace.
“When the government provides financial support to our researchers and scientists in this critical agriculture field, then issues of barren and dry lands would be a thing of the past as we would produce enough food for our nation without caring about farming seasons. This positive development should also be supported by researches that bring about the short-term season varieties. Africa must stop begging for everything,” said Waweru.
The Kenya agricultural expert also called upon the United Nations (UN)’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to support science and research initiatives aimed at addressing hunger.
Waweru said the world’s economy was fast shrinking, natural resources depreciating at a faster pace, global food shortages worsening with lack of research into food productivity.
With seasons now changing more often, pressure is also piling on most African governments to accept the use of nuclear technological advancement to address hunger.
Waweru’s sentiments were echoed by Tanzania’s agricultural expert Joshua Kimbunga, who said the problem was not confined to Kenya but a challenge to Africa as a whole.
“Of course, Kenya has taken a step further, but this is a challenge to all of us African researchers and scientists. We must come up with practical solutions to the food shortage issue.
“I am told that despite severe economic and political challenges, Zimbabwe is a leading nation in Africa in terms of agriculture, and we should incorporate their researchers, scientists and agricultural experts to help in researching for answers to hunger,” said Kimbunga.
