Kenya: Country Downplays Food Scarcity

ashley snyder/food scarcity/april 4, 2008/1:55pm

The violence that occured in January and February of this year displaced farmers, looted and destoryed much of crop, especially in the Rift Valley where burning took place. Since then the question of if and how farmers are going to recover from this violence and begin their yearly crop has been up in the air. On March 24, Kenya's Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Ramano Kiome, stated that the post-election violence will not have an impact on this years crop and food supply. He is confident that displaced farmers are now returning to their land, feeling more security and posession of property. He also stated that January and February were recess months for farmers, and that they will have enough time to begin this crop after returning this year. Dr. Kiome address this to a panel of Chinese delegates, and in return the Chinese government has donated "Ksh1.4 Billion" to assist farmers in Kenya's facilitation program that will give farmers free access to ploughing tractors, fertilizers, and other farm inputs.

The post-election violence in Kenya has displaced many peoples, in which eariler I reported on food shortages concerning Kenyan refugees in Rwanda due to beurcracy. Another factor in possible food shortages is the poor rains Kenya experienced in 2007 in which many fear will have an impact on this years crop and lead to a wave of food scarcity. The government is having positive outlooks on this year's crop, and wants a rapid solution to this problem.

Hopefully this year's crop turns out well, especially since many refugees are returning to Kenya. The government's facilitation program looks promising to me, since it provides utilities free of charge, and even though it's probably wrapped up in political strategies, the Chinese government's donation looks positive as well.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200803240821.html