Dear Reader

Farming in Africa has always been a risky business, at the mercy of bad weather, droughts, low productivity, bad politics and non-remunerative, fluctuating farm product prices. The rise in prices of a number of commodities is predicted to continue in future. This should be good for Kenya, its households and policy makers. It is the right moment to prioritize modernization of agriculture as a tool to fight poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 by taking advantage of the global price incentives to boost household incomes.

The recent food price increases has been predicted as doom and gloom for the continent. However, this needs not to be the case. There are medium and long term benefits owing to the commodity price rise for African producers. Kenya’s agriculture accounts to 75% engagement of the population.  Food-related commodity price increases are attracting a lot of global attention. It is feared that over 20 million people, in Kenya, could be severely affected and plunged into deeper poverty.

This is because food crop prices have increased by more than 85% since 2004 and they are predicted  to remain above 2004 levels until 2015. In Kenya, most households are net food producers and could benefit from high food prices through regional food exports. A rise in global bio-fuel’ production (fuel from crops like sugarcane, maize, soybeans and palm oil) especially in the US, Europe and Brazil is another opportunity for Kenya. 

With vast unutilized agricultural land, Kenya can grow and cheaply supply bio-fuel crops compared to subsidized and expensive sources in the US and Europe.

The global drive against climate change and the need for energy security will continue to make bio-fuel production a potential source of hope for poverty reduction in Kenya if international and national policy makers seize this opportunity. Kenya could be a global supplier of grains for food and bio-fuels under these price incentives.

The changing diets of middle income Chinese and Indians will push up protein-related food prices like milk, meat, pork and eggs in the long run. China’s GDP growth has averaged more than 9% since 1995. It makes up to 15.4% of the world economy, consumes a-third of the cereals.  with
continued per capita income growth of the ‘Asian drivers’ and change in diets, will lead to a strong rise in demand for commodities, food-especially high-protein foods like meats, dairy products and
vegetable oils thus sustaining price increases.

China and India account for 40% of world commodity consumers and 20% of the global purchasing power. Their consumption of commodities will more than double by 2020. This presents enormous opportunities for Africa’s household commodity producers in form increased farm incomes once strategically tapped.

There is plenty of opportunity for sub-Saharan Africa to turn around its “development puzzle” and get out of poverty by 2015. A country like Kenya can focus on becoming a food basket for the region, focus its Poverty Eradication and Action Plan, organize farm households to produce
economically viable commodity. Poverty eradication programmes should prioritize agriculture to produce strategic commodities that are going to be in high global demand now and in the future. There should be less politics and more organization to produce for both local and international
markets.

The consequences of lack of adequate information have been realized as the biggest handicap to the achievement of profitable farming in the model of farming as a business. The lack of information has also made most of the youth to stay without doing anything economically empowering as they search for employment. This is serious in that they loose out on the
advantages of self employment though Kenya have among the most suitable land for crop production in the world. This can only be changed through empowerment by using the correct methods and practices in farming

It has also made most of the youth to stay without doing anything economically empowering as they search for employment. This is serious in Kenya which comprises a big population of the poor and malnourished. In Kenya, it has manifested itself in ugly confrontations between those who have acquired wealth and those who presume to be poor. This can only be changed through empowerment.

Despite being among the most suited agriculturally potential area, Kenya remains behind in adoption of technology that can greatly improve on their living standards, reduce poverty and eradicate malnutrition. This calls for concerted effort in raising the level of knowledge and understanding on crop production of the farmers in the region.

Initially this was a big challenge due to lack of reliable current and Sustainable information to guide the farmers on correct crop production practices. The new series of agricultural training guides by the name SUCCESS IN AGRICULTURE, bridges the gap that has for long time increased poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Join the campaign to end hunger and poverty, make the world a better place by giving the farmers the best current farmers guide. Visit www.techno.co.ke  for link to the best guides. Initially this was a big challenge due to lack of reliable current and sustainable information to guide the farmers on correct crop production practices. The new series of agricultural training guides by the name SUCCESS IN AGRICULTURE, bridges the gap that has for long time increased poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Join the money makers and feed the rising population, make the world a better place by giving consumers more food using the best current farmers guide. Visit www.techno.co.ke  for link to the best guides. The books are the best guides for use in farming as a business and have been recommended by many organizations.
By providing the best information to farmers, you will empower them and Contribute in the search for a long term poverty solution. The guides are detailed on the practical steps of day to day that will give the farmer the power to add value to crop production, focus on economically sound agricultural practices and guide the farmer on everyday activity concerning crop production. The guides offer simple, practical approach to variety description, suited areas, production practices, pests and diseases and correct control practices in addition to post harvest crop handling. The books act as a farmer’s dictionary and make the learning part of life and experience.
The guides are detailed on the practical steps of day to day that will give the farmer the power to add value to crop production, focus on economically sound agricultural practices and guide the farmer on everyday activity concerning crop production. The guides offer simple, practical
approach to variety description, planning and budgeting suited areas, production practices, pests and diseases and correct control practices in addition to post harvest crop handling. The books act as a farmer’s dictionary and make the learning part of life and experience.

The books have been recommended by KARI (Kenya Agricultural Research Institute) and the ministry of Agriculture in Kenya. The books are Available at text book centre at very affordable prices. Empower the needy now by enabling them to earn more from farming and even sustain their families.

Help and empower the needy by making them know that it is not the NGOs that will save Kenya, it is our own resolve and our efforts to work to empower ourselves and sustain our lives. Action needed from you is Buy for the needy, inform them about the availability or establish training groups to end poverty.

Thank you

Yours
James Mwangi

——-
James Mwangi
Techno Resource Trainers Ltd
Tel: + 254 – 20 – 245829 / 20 – 341841
cell: + 254 – 724 – 483569
go to// www.techno.co.ke
P.o Box 16410 – 000100
Nairobi

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Date:  Mon, 19 May 2008 13:54:56 +0300 (EAT)
From:  Techno Resource Trainers
Subject:   empowering farmers in the current global crisis