The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that more needs to be done to boost family farming across Africa
A survey in 93 countries indicated that family farms account on average for more than 80 per cent of all holdings, however the FAO noted that continued neglect could compromise global food production systems and the fight against hunger.
“Family farmers play a pivotal role in the local production, marketing and consumption circuits that are so important not simply in fighting hunger but also in creating jobs, generating income, and in stimulating and diversifying local economies”, observed Jose Graziano da Silva, director general FAO in a recent speech.
Waititu Hinga, a family farmer in Ol Jabet Scheme in Laikipia county, Kenya has also always sustained his family through harvesting crops from his three –acre farm, while the remainder is sold in local markets to earn an income.
“I have been self-employed in the farm for years, sustaining and educating my family with returns from the farm. There have been challenges but I have raised my five children through the farm proceeds”, said Hinga, a fifty-four year old farmer.
Mwangi Mumero
