Farmers Urged to Diversify Crops as Climate Change Threatens Maize Production

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 30 – Farmers across Kenya have been urged to move away from overreliance on maize production and embrace crop diversification and agroecology to build resilience against climate change, desertification and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Agriculture Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Peter Owoko, said continued dependence on maize was exposing farmers to significant risks as changing rainfall patterns, pests and fluctuating market prices threaten food security and household incomes. Speaking during the 3rd Agroecology Symposium Kenya at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, Owoko noted that thousands of farmers continue to cultivate maize even in regions where the crop performs poorly, particularly in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

The symposium, themed “Transforming Agrifood Systems through Agroecology: A One Health Approach for Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient Futures,” was organised by the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Kenya in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Owoko encouraged farmers in drought-prone regions to invest in climate-resilient crops such as sorghum, finger millet and other small grains, saying they are better suited to harsh climatic conditions and can deliver more reliable harvests. “If farmers in regions which are not favourable to maize must grow grains, then let them plant sorghum and finger millet, which will give them better yields and ensure food security,” he said.

He also recommended expanding the cultivation of tuber crops such as cassava and sweet potatoes, noting that they can reduce crop losses, improve household nutrition and withstand harsh climatic conditions better than maize. According to Owoko, increasing desertification and shrinking arable land make it imperative for farmers to adopt crops that can thrive under changing environmental conditions. The Agriculture Secretary acknowledged that farmers’ continued dependence on maize is largely driven by consumer demand, pointing out that maize meal remains Kenya’s dominant staple food.

“Kenyans are also to blame since many families believe that there is no food if they do not have maize flour. It is therefore very important to diversify diets for better nutrition,” he said. He called for a national shift in dietary habits to encourage…