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The future of farming in Kenya is digital. With numerous programs being started to fully digitize government services, the future of Kenya is computerized.

Digitize farming?

Not quite at the point of digitizing farming but the relationship between the government and farmers will be. The government of Kenya has partnered with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to create Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (KIAMIS).

This will be a database of all farmers in the country. The system will provide decision makers with accurate information to allow them to make the best decisions when it comes to the country’s food safety. It will also help farmers by streamlining how they access government services.

The government and the farmer.

The government will be able to maintain a direct relationship with farmers and cut out the cartels and middle men who have plagued the agricultural sector in the past. Gone will be the days of exorbitant price spikes during droughts and shortages.

Decision-makers have a better understanding of inputs consumption patterns through automated capturing of farmers’ purchases at selected agro-dealer outlets. Furthermore, it improves targeting of beneficiaries and reduction of ghost farmers, thereby enhancing the impact of the inputs.

It’s already started

The program is to be rolled out in future but trials have already started in Tapsagoi Ward, Turbo Sub- County. 25 farmers as well as select agro-dealers have been trained in using the system. The farmers were able to redeem a government e-voucher giving them a 40% subsidy.

FAO through its Land Governance Programme has been a major player in the digitization of land records and is extending this to digitization of the registration of farmers and service delivery in the agricultural sector.

With the introduction of penicillin in the mid-20^th century, the whole world, more specifically healthcare was changed forever. Previously, an infection was almost an automatic death sentence, now there was hope.

What is Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?

Fast forward to the 21^st century and now we’re dealing with a whole other set of issues. Because of the nature of bacteria, in one human lifetime bacteria could have gone through millions of iterations. This allows them to mutate and adapt very quickly.

“Globally, it is estimated that around 700 000 people die each year because of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections. If action is not taken, the rise of AMR cumulatively may result in over 3.4 trillion USD loss in the world’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) in ten short years.”

Food and agriculture organization of the UN.

After being introduced to antimicrobial drugs many microbe species have developed resistance. This is a huge problem not only to humans but also to livestock and the plant life. Farming practices have especially contributed to microbes building up this resistance. Liberal and inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs is a major issue that many countries have realized and are creating legislation to bring under control.

Why should it matter to you?

Anti-microbial resistance may seem like an issue far removed, especially when talking about livestock and agricultural farming. In Kenya efforts are being made to keep track of livestock, legislation should follow to track antimicrobial use. But, knowing that:

• 75-90 %of tested antibiotics are excreted from animals un-metabolized and enter sewage systems and water sources.
• In a recent survey, chief veterinary officers reported African countries used an average 418 tons of antibiotics in agriculture each year.

Really highlight how much of an issue it is. Globally we are, hopefully on the backend of the corona virus, so it should be evident to us what would be the effect of a global pandemic. Especially of a drug resistant disease.

• 59% of people in Kenya have access to safe drinking water.
• 29% of people in Kenya have access to improved sanitation facilities.

Just over half the population has access to clean drinking water. That being the case it is good to see the investment being made by both government and private institutions to improve supply. From Makueni to Nakuru to Nyandarua water projects are being developed to ensure as many Kenyans as possible have access to clean water

Kihoto Water Project

In Naivasha Sub-County the Kihoto Water Project aims to bring the access of water from just over half the population to 95%. 100,000 households in Nakuru County will be fed by the 50 boreholes being sunk. The project is 50% completed, so residents will soon be able to enjoy safe drinking water.

Though these are welcome changes, the growing population will soon outgrow the water system being constructed. Better planning is needed by the county government.

Nyandarua county.

Sh1.2 billion has been dedicated to water projects in various parts of Nyandarua County. 40 projects under the National Irrigation Authority would benefit some 4,000 families. Many of the water projects aim to irrigate farm land.

Sh29.7 million project to desilt the Githunguri Cascading Earth Dam in Rurii ward, which targets 66 households and with the potential to irrigate 66 acres of land. The Theuri borehole irrigation water project in Kaimbaga ward at Sh12.3 million and targets 300 households.

Nkararo area, Trans Mara west Sub County

The area has been subject to local skirmishes for many years. This has made any attempts to improve the water infrastructure difficult in the past. Sponsorship from a non-governmental organization has brought about the ‘water to school’ project. The project provides water to local schools as well as to water kiosks where people can buy water at shs5 for 20 liters of water.

PP filter

One look at the filters in our under-sink reverse osmosis system lets you know the state of the water in our tap systems. Often, we hear that the water supplied by the different water providers within the country is safe to drink. That may be true in that it won’t make you sick but is it water you want to drink.

The PP filter in our under-sink RO system filters out sand, rust and larger suspended particles in the water. The filter traps any particles larger than 5 microns. This stage doesn’t remove any of the chemical components of the water, neither does it disinfect.

Granular activated carbon

The second filter contains activated carbon. This gets rid of bad flavors and odors in the water. This filter also gets rid of chlorine that is used to disinfect the water by your local water provider. Corrosive chemicals and pesticides are also filtered out at this point.

CTO filter

CTO stands for Color, Taste and Odor. This filter eliminates any unpleasant odors and flavors. Chlorine that may have passed through the previous filter is removed at this point. This filter has pores of 0.5 microns so most suspended material is removed at this point.

Reverse Osmosis

This is the heart of the whole system. This filter removes all suspended material in the water as well as any dissolved minerals. Bacteria and viruses that may have passed through the previous membranes is caught at this stage.

Post activated carbon

This stage of the process passes the filtered water over natural stone to give the water a pleasant taste.

Kenya has made it law that all livestock in the country have to be registered.  The Livestock Identification and Traceability System Regulations, 2019 which will be part of Animal Health Act, 2019, requires owners of livestock to register their animal’s;

1. the identification number   
2. date of birth
3. sex
4. breed or color of coat
5. identification number of the dam or sire; or, in the case of an animal imported from a third country, the identification number given following inspection and the corresponding identification number of origins, if any
6. address of the premises or holding where the animal was born
7. address of all premises holdings where the animal has been kept and the dates of each change of holding
8. date of death or slaughter.
9. animal health and movement records

These regulations will also affect farmers relationships with slaughterhouses.

• No animal shall be presented to or accepted in a slaughterhouse without an identification device.
• Any meat for sale to the public shall only be sourced from a slaughterhouse to which it shall be traceable by means of a certificate of transport or any other means prescribed by the Director General.
• The certificate of transport of meat shall be as prescribed in the veterinary Public Health Act and shall bear the identification number of the animal that gave rise to the meat. (4) Any person who contravenes this regulation commits an offence

Procedure for Livestock Registration

• Interested individuals or enterprises fill in the Kenya Stud Book joining form-giving details on their breed of livestock kept, contacts, physical locality, and they also apply for a herd prefix (the name by which the breed herd is known by).
• On approval of the herd prefix, specific letters are issued to the prospective breeder together with the livestock registration forms.
• The breeder fills in application for livestock registration form for each animal to be registered and liaises with the Kenya Stud Book or the breed Society on inspection of the stock.
• He then forwards the duly filled application for livestock registration form to KSB for issuance of registration certificate.

A minimal fee is paid for each animal registered depending on the class, breed and sex.

Why register livestock?

Conservation and Preservation: A registry is essential in keeping the breeds and information on animals to preserve the ancestry and history of the animals and the breed.  The registry itself is the headquarters for the preservation of this information, and by supporting it through the registration of your animals; you are contributing to the promotion, conservation, and other programs and services that are offered to its members.

Breeding: Knowing and documenting the breed ensures that the ancestry of an animal is known.  Listing the breed makeup and breed percentages of your animals on registration papers can aid in making breeding decisions.

Value: When you breed quality animals utilizing top genetics, registered animals are more valuable than grade or non-registered animals.  When opportunities arise and you have breeding stock for sale, potential buyers will have more interest and be willing to pay a higher price because of documentation and information that is available on the animals.

Diversity: Without a registry, you won’t be able to find other breeders that are breeding animals with known quality. Genetic lines can disappear, become too inbred or a breeds existence can be threatened.

Ownership: Registration papers can come in handy to provide proof of ownership for neighbors, insurance, theft or other situations.

Security: When you register and identify your animals with a registry, it can give you peace of mind knowing that breeds and information on your animals is available in the event your information is lost thru some type of disaster and can easily be replaced.

COP26 stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’ with this year’s conference being the 26^th. The UK government will be hosting the UN climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

Mitigation

2021 is an important conference because countries will be presenting their initial plans to achieve their climate goals. In 2015 at COP21, held in Paris, 190 countries pledged to achieve zero emissions by 2050.

Leaders from all over the globe will be attending the COP26 to reveal how they intend to keep the goal of minimizing the global increase in temperature to below 1.5 degrees. As we currently stand, the global average is set to increase by 3 degrees by 2100.

More needs to be done. We need to cut global emissions by half in this decade alone.

Adaptation

As well as accelerate the phase-out of coal, curtail deforestation, speed up the switch to electric vehicles and encourage investment in renewables. The truth of the matter is that those who are most adversely affected by climate change are those who contributed least to it. So more developed nations need to actively support more vulnerable nations.

Finances

To achieve any of these goals developed nations need to mobilize at least $100 billion per year by 2020.

In the past decade over 70% of global disasters were caused by water. If the global average temperature were to exceed 2 degrees the damage would be irreversible and catastrophic. The conference aims to put systems in place to protect communities as well as put warning systems in place to minimize damage caused by these natural disasters.

Finalize the ‘Paris Rulebook’

There has to be an agreement ensuring transparency among nations to ensure they keep their commitments. Broker an agreement that incentivizes nations to keep the 1.5-degree goal feasible.

This decade is crucial and will determine the future greatly. Finalizing the rulebook will be a step in the right direction, but policies will need to turn into actions.

Rainwater harvesting is not a new concept or technology. Its been around for a long time but the need for it is becoming ever more necessary. Kenya, being 80% Arid and Semi-arid land (Asal), need more people to take advantage of rainwater harvesting.

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) identified rainwater harvesting systems as an alternative water technology that is relevant to federal facilities, is commercially available, and may offer an opportunity to offset freshwater use.

Why harvest water?

In the household harvesting rainwater is low cost and reduces the water bill significantly. If the harvesting is away from industry, the water may be free of chemical contamination. In Kenya where food security is such a constant issue, it can provide some consistent supply of water.

Farmers can subsidize their farm expenditures leading to higher income. Free flowing water is collected, reducing soil erosion. Areas prone to flooding can benefit greatly by practicing largescale rainwater harvesting. Flooding is an issue in some areas in Kenya. Larger rainwater harvesting programs can alleviate some of the stress on the existing water systems. Dams can collect water to prevent floods

How to harvest rainwater.

The basic components needed to harvest rainwater are;

• A collection system
• Storage system
• Treatment system
• Delivery system

1. For most the collection system is their existing roof and gutter system that they route rainwater from.
2. Depending on the size and needs of the user there are various solutions. CESP Africa offers storage tanks ranging from 500Liters to 2.6 M Liters. From domestic tanks to commercial tanks suited for industry and farming. For larger storage solutions, a dam could hold water from rainwater harvesting.
3. The rainwater harvested may require treating. Depending on the collection area and intended use. If the rainwater is collected away from industry then treatment is less necessary. If it is only intended for farm or commercial use and not human consumption, then treatment isn’t necessary. But for those who require domestic or commercial filtration, CESP Africa has the right solution for you.
4. This is how you will access the water. You’ll need a pump, flowback prevention, level indicator etc. depending on your system and needs.

Conclusion

Climate change has made water security a real issue. We have the opportunity to put systems in place to combat that insecurity. Rainwater harvesting is a viable solution and with improvement in building technology it is more accessible to the general public.