Murang’a County government is stepping up efforts to promote agroecology as part of measures to improve soil health, enhance food safety and encourage sustainable farming practices.

The county administration through its Department of Agriculture and in collaboration with development partners, is training farmers on sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides and industrial fertilizers including the use of organic manure and plant-based pest-control methods.

The County Executive Committee Member for agriculture Prof. Kiringai Kiarie said the county was committed to embracing agroecology to address concerns over declining soil productivity and the potential health risks associated with chemicals used in food production.

“One of the biggest challenges that we have faced is that we have many non-communicable diseases that are associated with what we spray our crops with,” he remarked.

Kiarie added that poor soil health was another challenge affecting agricultural productivity, noting that the county intended to promote soil testing to guide farmers on the appropriate inputs required to improve soil fertility.

“As a county we are committed to embrace agroecology practices so that we can bring soil testing to guide what inputs we need in the soil,” added the CEC.

He further observed that the county is planning to ensure digital technology is developed in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation and make it available to young people through Local Enterprise and Services Hubs.

Diana Mwangi, an officer with Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Kenya, called on farmers to embrace agroecology and encourage younger generations to adopt sustainable farming practices.

She noted that the focus should now shift from developing policies to implementing them, planning activities and gathering evidence on the benefits of agroecology.

Diana also urged other counties to learn from Murang’a, which she said was the first county to establish an agroecology policy.

She cited Nakuru, Narok, Laikipia, Makueni, Meru and Tharaka-Nithi among counties that had adopted or were advancing agroecology policies, adding that Kiambu was expected to launch its policy soon.

On her part, Betty Kibaara, an officer with the Rockefeller Foundation, emphasized the importance of linking agroecology with school feeding programmes to improve nutrition and promote sustainable food production.

She welcomed the county’s commitment to investing in both initiatives, noting that regenerative agriculture could help restore soil health and strengthen food systems.

Betty encouraged farmers to adopt practices such as planting trees, terracing and diversifying crops, saying the approaches could improve soil quality, enhance nutrition and make farming systems more resilient.

The county’s efforts to promote agroecology are aimed at encouraging more sustainable farming practices that support healthier soils, responsible pest management and more resilient food systems while contributing to improved food production and nutrition.

 by Bernard Munyao