November 20, 2018 NAIROBI-KENYA I Issue No. 0095 Why permaculture is the future of food production Let’s teach ‘sex education’, says Governor on school pregnancies The governor consequently blamed parents for fearing to openly discuss reproductive health with their children which they regard as a taboo subject. BY JOSEPH OBWOCHA KNA-BOMET The Distant Relatives Eco-lodge in Kilifi is one of the pioneers of this agribusiness in Kenya. Nestled between the Giriama village of Fumbini and the emerald waters of Kilifi creek, the lodge is an out of the ordinary facility. Stories like these are covered in an upcoming book on AgroInnovation by the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board Agro-Innovation Transforming agriculture toward sustainable development BY KYEB P romoting consideration of the earth by vouching for minimisation of waste and maximisation of resource potential, is beginning to attract the interest of both small-and large-scale farmers, pushed by demand from consumers who are now more aware of what they eat and how it affects their health. Associated with this movement, is the term organic, meaning produced or derived from nature, a word that many people have come to associate with ecologically-aware farming practices and which, over the past decade has become the fastest growing sector across the agribusiness economy. But while organic farming takes into consideration factors such as how we farm, what we plant, how we plant, what we add to the soil and how to take care of the crops and vegetation around us, permaculture takes organic farming a step further by giving it a more agro-ecological approach. Permaculture is a regenerative landscape design practice. It mimics how nature works as a model for human living, especially where food production is concerned. It intends to create abundance and stability within the broader ecosystem, obtained by closing nutrient cycles, enhancing soil life and species diversity and aims to design resilient landscapes that are both ecologically sound and financially viable. “Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation, rather than thoughtless labour; and of looking at plants and animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single product system,” said Bill Mollison, founder of the permaculture movement. But what does this all mean? Where do you start and how? The answer to this begins with the soil and how we choose to interact with it; understanding that this ‘dirt’ beneath our feet is in fact a complex living matrix made up of billions of interconnected lives that will support a variety of plant life according to its constituent parts and surrounding climate. The Distant Relatives Ecolodge in Kilifi is one of the pioneers of this agribusiness in Kenya. Nestled between the Giriama village of Fumbini and the emerald waters of Kilifi creek, offering beautiful sunsets and breath taking sceneries, the lodge is an out of the ordinary facility. It is no fancy five-star hotel but presents a laid back, community inspired atmosphere that provides a priceless experience for most of those who visit. It has become a message of optimism and an experimental model of environmentally conscious living, in an age where people are becoming more aware of their natural surroundings and of what they eat. From the moment you arrive, everything around it points to its love for nature, where rather than work against it, it has integrated it beautifully in every aspect of its design; from the passion fruit walkway leading to the entrance, the outdoor bamboo showers that preach water efficiency and recycling and the neat rows of ‘composting’ toilets. Zimbabwean Tichafa Makovere, one of the founding fathers of the African permaculture movement, runs training courses here for farmers and other agribusiness groups. This is done in conjunction with Barefoot Solutions, a Kenyan permaculture organization. The training consists of a perfect mix of the practical and theoretical. The lodge landscape offered a fantastic learning ground for the permaculture concept. Barefoot Solutions was founded by Sven Verwiel and Ivan Lieman, who specialise in the art of regenerative landscape design. Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation, rather than thoughtless labour; and of looking at plants and animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single product system - Bill Mollison, Founder, Permaculture movement G overnor Joyce Laboso decried the high number of teenage pregnancies in the area which have been reported during the ongoing national examinations. The governor consequently blamed parents for fearing to openly discuss reproductive health with their children which they regard as a taboo subject. “Now we have no option but openly discuss reproductive health or ‘sex education’ with our children to save them from learning bad habits from strangers and peers,” she said. Dr Laboso made the remarks in Sotik during prayers she hosted at her home to mark one year in office and noted that parents should counsel their children especially during the current two months holiday. She said that men should not take advantage of girls especially the minors who look upon them as their security and end up molesting them. “Men betray the trust of the children who looked upon them for care, protection, love, shelter, food and education,” she said. Dr.Laboso said men and boys responsible for impregnating more than 25 schoolgirls must face the law since it takes two to tango and they should take responsibility for their actions. The Governor said those who are supposed to be role models have ruined the lives of children by spoiling their future. “Proper investigations must be undertaken at St Monica Chebangang Secondary School in Konoin Sub County where 17 cases of pregnancies were reported but the Board of Management insists they have only one case,” she stated. Of the 25 pregnant candidates reported, Kipreres secondary and Mulot secondary schools has two cases each, St Catherines Tegat, Motiret, Kapset and Kiprichait secondary schools have one case each among the KCSE candidates.
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