Failing to plan is planning to fail!

The current drought and famine conditions ravaging the country leaves many questions begging for answers. In the first case, did we have a strategic plan feed our population in the wake of the failure of rains for two or three years? Has the government utilized the entire capacity of its food baskets to produce enough food for all Kenyans? Are the agricultural resources allocated equitably to all regions to ensure food production is beefed up?

What is the government doing about the reintroduction of tradtional crops like yams, arrow roots, sweet potatoes, cassava, millet, and sorghum as sure solutions to food insecurity? With Kenya having better soils, a better economy, and a better climate than Malawi, why should the latter export maize and not Kenya?

While these questions are mind boggling, they bring to fore the deficiencies we have as a country. The government has abdicated its responsibility in planning for the growing population. This failure can be witnessed by the 10 million people starving across the country.

We have encroached on our largest water tower in East Africa, the Mau Complex, which has helped to reduced water levels in our rivers and dams. This has hampered crop production. Agriculture in rural areas remains relegated to the periphery since very few resources are allocated to boosted food production in these areas.

The government should put its act together and plan for increased food production. Mau encroachment should be halted as a matter of urgency. Malawi offers a fine example that food security is real and attainable. Our leaders should not amplify politics at the expense of environmental conservation, water conservation, and food production.

Rural areas should get a better share of the agricultural resources. We can free ourselves from hunger in less than five years if the government has the will and commitment to do so. In the words of Calvin Coolidge, we cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.

Chris
(Article published in the Daily Nation, 12th August, 2009)