The Maize Lethal Necrotic (MLN) disease
is at it again. Unlike the recent past, where its detrimental effects were only
felt in the South Rift, MLN is encroaching speedily the country’s food baskets
in the North Rift- Uasin-gishu and Trans Nzoia County. Crop scientists are hard
at work in field stations trying to come up with seed varieties that are
resistant to the disease. However, this might take two to three years before a
certified seed variety is in the market. Thus, it seems that MLN will be around
for a little while longer. While the scientists’ efforts are laudable, it is
prudent to note that Kenya’s absolute reliance on maize as a food security crop
is a disaster waiting to happen. History provides two examples of such.
The Irish expected a good harvest of
their main staple, the potato in 1845. However, a strange disease hit the crop
and resulted in 50% losses and doubling of farm gate prices. Nonetheless, the
Irish planted potatoes the following year hoping they would get better yields.
The crop totally failed. The disease later identified as potato blight,
resulted in a famine that saw a million people die due to starvation and
another million migrating to the neighboring countries. It is estimated that
the Irish population was depopulated by about 25%. Although Scientists managed
to isolate the fungus that caused the blight, Phytophthora Infestans, it
was not until 1882 that a remedy was discovered. This was almost 40 years after
the famine had struck.
To a lesser degree, the Americans have
also suffered the perils of over reliance on one crop. In the early 70s, Corn
(maize) was hit by a blight that was later named the Southern Corn Leaf Blight.
As in Ireland, the blight was caused by a fungus, Bipolaris maydis. Corn
losses of up to 15 % were reported. This resulted in sharp increases of corn
prices in the US. Considering that corn was also used as animal feed, the
prices of beef rose sharply too. The rest of the world was not spared from
these effects. The low production of Corn in the US exacerbated an already
fragile world food market and hence contributed, though to a lesser extent, to
the World Food Crisis of 1972-1974.
As new varieties are being sought to
counter the spread of MLN, it is crucial that Kenyan farmers, especially small
scale, be enticed away from maize into adoption of other crops that have
enormous potential for food security. This can be achieved though market
mechanisms that would ensure farmers make profit while feeding the nation.
Crops such as sorghum, millet and cassava can greatly improve the farmer’s lot
and boost food security. Secondly, Kenya scores poorly on household dietary
diversity. There is need for an aggressive public awareness campaign on the
contribution of other foods to the diet. By increasing consumer awareness of
the importance of dietary diversification, there would be increased demand for
foods other than maize. Lastly, because it might take a while before farmers
move away from planting of maize, agricultural extension officers should be
empowered to enable them reach more farmers and teach them good agricultural
practices. This would go a long way in the prevention of MLN spread.
No comments:
Post a Comment