Ann Wambui, a youth from Nakuru’s Elementaita area of Gilgil sub county has been vocal in advocating for quality indigenous seeds that she says can be achieved through farmers embracing seed saving techniques.

According to the youthful farmer, seed saving will go a long way in addressing food security challenges by ensuring quality production that is clean from harmful chemicals.

She encourages young people to also venture into organic farming and help come up with solutions affecting food production in society.

Read: Lobby group seeks to establish organic farmers' markets in all Nakuru constituencies

“Most young people have the notion that farming is not classy and that it does not generate income instantly. However, this is not the case and that is why we are going about training young people on the importance of organic farming and seed saving for value addition,” she says.

Beth Omae from Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Association notes that young people are key stakeholders in driving the agriculture agenda.

Beth Omae from Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Association.

Photo credit: PRISTONE MAMBILI/MTAA WANGU

She points out that young people in Nakuru County have various diverse knowledge in matters of food production that should be tapped.

“We are creating that platform for our young people to share ecological and indigenous information that they might have towards enabling production and breaking the barriers that have been there when it comes to young people and agriculture,” says Omae.

Mr.Samson Ngugi from Nakuru-based Slow Food Kenya says communities have rich knowledge in indigenous foods that should not be left to die but rather should be relayed from one generation to another.

Mr. Samson Ngugi from Nakuru-based Slow Food Kenya.

Photo credit: PRISTONE MAMBILI/MTAA WANGU

According to Ngugi, young people should be sensitized to take up the lead in being custodian of the indigenous knowledge on food.

“A time is coming when we shall be judged by the generations as to why we did not safeguard our indigenous crops. As Slow Food Kenya, we have taken up the first role of partnering with like-minded organizations to sensitize our youth towards the same,” said Ngugi.

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Preserve knowledge of indigenous foods, Nakuru youth told

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Pristone Mambili