By Whitney Akinyi
The inaugural Africa Climate Summit week is not just a gathering of Heads of States and international delegates, but also a platform for showcasing local initiatives that are making a tangible impact on climate action and sustainable development.
One such initiative, the National Farmers Day Campaign, led by the Alliance for Science and Kwawi Creatives has emerged as a beacon of hope in recognizing and empowering farmers across the nation.
Maurice Mbaya, a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture at Kwawi Creatives and one of the speakers at the Climate Action Zone shared his insights on the initiative.
“Partnering with like-minded people, we engage farmers from the lowest level of the grassroots to impart knowledge to farmers to adapt the best farming practices fit for different soil types and the environment,” he said.
At the heart of the National Farmers Day Campaign, is the concept of national dialogues led by farmers themselves. These dialogues provide a platform for farmers from all corners of the nation to voice their concerns, share knowledge, and advocate for the recognition they rightfully deserve. As a result, regions like Kitui, Kirinyaga, and Uasin Gishu County have already witnessed the fruits of this initiative.
Central to the success of the National Farmers Day Campaign, is its outreach strategy. Through impactful media, community radio broadcasts in local languages, social media engagement, and farmers’ forums, the campaign has effectively raised awareness and engaged with its target audience.
This approach, as highlighted by the Alliance for Science, has yielded remarkable results, with a reach of 2.9 million and impressions soaring to 7.9 million.
The Alliance for Science and their dedicated team are not content with their achievements to date. Their vision extends to regions like Kakamega, Kisumu, Bungoma, and beyond.
The campaign, as presented by Mbaya, aims to educate and empower farmers in these areas, helping them adopt sustainable farming practices tailored to their specific soil types and environments.
Moreover, they are actively seeking partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations, a point emphasized in their presentation, to organically grow the National Farmers Day movement.
Kenya’s National Farmers Day Campaign is making significant strides in promoting sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and prosperity.
As the initiative continues to expand its reach and impact, it serves as a shining example of how grassroots efforts, driven by dedicated organizations, can play a pivotal role in addressing pressing global challenges. With a farmer-led approach and the unwavering commitment of the Alliance for Science, Kenya’s agricultural landscape is poised for a brighter and more sustainable future.