Page 44 - MANDERA-COUNTY- THE 2019 MAGAZINE

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Towards Sustainable Development Goal No. 2: Zero Hunger

KEY PRINCIPLES DRIVING OUR
AGRICULTURE
1. Increase agricultural productivity
and employment for our people
2. Improve and conserve land and
scarce natural resources
3. Improve livelihoods and
empowering farmers, connecting
them to markets
4. Enhance resilience of Mandera
people, and vulnerable
communities to climate change
Johora M. Abdi effects (droughts and floods)
CECM Agriculture, disease out breaks and markets
Irrigation,Livestock,
Fisheries and Veterinary shocks
Services

AGRICULTURE BOOSTS FOOD SECURITY

andera County Government is keen on Wakulima Market unlike before. Farmers are encouraged to plant agroforestry
turning around the untapped agricul- Mandera County has showcased how farmers’ trees to help reduce damage to the environment,
Mture potential of the semi-arid area into actions are tackling real issues in a region that conserve soil and improve soil fertility.
a food basket previously relied on food donations, net imports
and relief consignments to cope with the chal- The county has increased the agricultural area
“Our dream is to have a county where food is lenges of harsh climatic conditions. under production and promoted sustainable ag-
nutritious, accessible and affordable for all resi- riculture and the results are practical.
dents,” says Governor Ali Roba. “We are encouraging farmers to practice sus- “Who believed Mandera could produce cabbag-
tainable agriculture to help close the doors on es, grapes, avocado, strawberry and passion
Working hand-in-hand with farmers, offering hunger, protect the environment from degrada- fruit?” askls County Executive Commitee Member
them technical support through extension offi- tion while also improving the economic and so- for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Vterinary
cers as well as irrigation experts, we have priori- cial well being of our people,” says Governor Services, Johora Abdi.
tized resources aimed at accelerating progress Roba.
in food and agriculture production. “We are trying to make our farmers more
“Mandera County has the potential to address resilient to external shocks but climate change
The participation by different farmers on their many of its challenges, serving up affordable gives two extremes. We confront long, dry
own across the county is encouraging for a nutritious organic foods, strengthening liveli- spells and when rains come it washes away the
community that is known for pastoralism as hoods, while revitalizing huge tracts of lands efforts of farmers, exposing them to losses of
a way of life. Today, crops from Mandera like that were bushes occupied by Prosopis juriflora irrigation infrastructure like pipes, canals, water
onions are exported to Addis Ababa, Nairobi’s popularly known as Mathenge weed,” he says. pumps and acres of crops,” says Johora.