FIELD DAY ON AGROECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY HELD AT KITUMBA PRIMARY SCHOOL, VIHIGA COUNTY

Farmers and stakeholders today convened at Kitumba Primary School, Mungoma Ward, for a Field Day organized by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, under the Biodiversity for Resilient Ecosystems in Agricultural Landscapes (B-REAL) project, implemented in partnership with CGIAR and supported by Canada.

The field day showcased practical innovations aimed at conserving biodiversity while improving agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Central to the discussions was the role of community seed banks in promoting community-led conservation of diverse seeds to improve diets, incomes, and livelihoods, as demonstrated by the farmers.

Participants interacted with representatives from seed banks in Vihiga, Kabudi, Nyando, and Mumias East, including women-led initiatives, and learned about traditional seed preservation methods, clean and healthy seed selection, and the importance of indigenous and orphaned crops that are resilient to climate change.

The event also highlighted the B-REAL project’s three impact pathways, focusing on enhancing integration of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem health, and climate resilience into agricultural landscapes, strengthening an enabling environment for sustainable and socially equitable biodiversity use and management, and enhancing equity and inclusivity in the access, use, and benefits sharing of biodiversity genetic resources among women, men, youth, and marginalized communities. Demonstrations included the use of seed storage jars, mechanical threshers and cleaners, and sustainable forage options supporting improved dairy production.

The B-REAL initiative promotes a nature-positive approach through aggregated farms, organic inputs, support to native species, and strengthened value chains. In Vihiga County, this approach is enhancing soil health, food security, and climate adaptation while reinforcing agroecology policies at both the national and county levels.

The field day underscored the collective commitment to biodiversity, climate action, and community resilience, with farmers encouraged to adopt quality seed and sustainable practices to achieve better yields and healthier food systems.

The initiative aligns with the Vihiga County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-2027, which prioritizes sustainable agricultural production, food and nutrition security, climate change adaptation, and the empowerment of farmers through improved technologies and value addition. By promoting agroecology, biodiversity conservation, and resilient livelihoods, the B-REAL project directly contributes to the CIDP’s goal of inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in the county.