Consumer Grassroots Association (CGA) has regretted that some farmers are still using harmful chemicals to produce food and remain ignorant of modern practices.
Speaking during a workshop in Karen attended by journalists, food experts, agriculture officers, farmers, and civil societies concerned with food systems, CGA director Alice Kemunto said that most farmers lack the knowhow to produce food, some reject the correct methods of production while others use dangerous inputs which affect the environment and consumers.
“We should protect our consumers against harmful chemicals. We shall put our heads together to find out how to transform the food system for Kenyans,” she said.
The media was challenged to educate farmers on safe methods for food production.
Kemunto noted that CGA is advocating for agro-ecology as an alternative farming system to achieve sustainable food systems and protect the environment as well.
Agro-ecology is an integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to design and manage food and agricultural systems. Within a justice and rights framework, it seeks to minimize external inputs and optimize sustainable interactions between plants, animals, humans and the broader environment.
Prof. David Ayuku, one of the presenters during the workshop, said there was a need to initiate food policies that promote consumer health.
He said that the country has several food safety policies that envisage protection and promotion of consumer health while facilitating the orderly development of food industries as well as fair practices in food trade but implementation has been a challenge.
By Obegi Malack | obegimalack@gmail.com
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
