By Tebby Otieno
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 17 — Agricultural researchers and scientists at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) couldn’t contain their excitement as they witnessed a bountiful maize harvest.
The Kenyan maize variety, DKC90-89, was planted on June 2 within JKUAT’s Modern Agriculture Demonstration Area (MADA) and yielded 50 per cent more harvest than those in surrounding farms.
“We have been doing research mainly on maize in the agricultural research farm here in JKUAT, focussing mainly on how to improve the yield per hectares of our main crop besides mitigating the climate change,” said lead researcher, Prof. David Mburu.
The researchers and scientists stated clearly that the Kenyan research crop maize variety, DKC90-89, is not genetically modified.
The improvement in yield was simply an outcome of optimized agronomic practices such as proper spacing, mulching, irrigation and effective pest control.
Registering 2,700 kilogrammes yield per acre in the demonstration area, the crop has shown potential to reverse maize shortage in Kenya and contribute to food security for the population.
With climate change discussions ongoing at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-27) in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, Prof. Mburu stated that his team has been conducting agricultural experiments that can feed the masses while keeping a tub on climate change.
He stated that they have been monitoring greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural production system and experimenting with different treatments to see which one emits the least.
They have also conducted experiments outside the university in farmers’ fields in some of the driest parts of the country in semi-arid areas.
“We have done trials with farmers in way of transferring the technology that we develop here to the farming community that they can also be able to benefit from technologies that improve the maize yield while reducing carbon emissions,” he added.
Prof. Robert Gituru, the Kenyan Director of the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), says that food security is a prerequisite for development, comfort, and good life. He says the three cannot exist without agriculture.
“The harvest time has come and we are very glad to note that the productivity of the crop that we established inside this plot was very good. Actually it was extremely encouraging compared to the similar crop outside the demonstration area,” said Prof. Gituru adding, “We realized 50% more produce. For those who are in the field of agriculture you agree with me that is incredible.”
In 2019, the Wuhan Botanical Garden under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and JKUAT, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collaboration and the establishment of MADA at JKUAT.
According to Prof. Yan Xue, Executive Director of the SAJOREC at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the researchers have also worked on other cutting-edge agricultural produce that can adapt to local climate and have yielded successful results in the past three yields.
He added that in the upcoming months, they hope to introduce kiwi fruit from their Botanic Garden and support the expansion of numerous varieties, including high-yield peanuts, hybrid rice, and other crops.
“It’s my high expectation that the existing collaboration between CAS and JKUAT will continue to grow from strength to strength for the mutual benefit of our research and capacity building. I hope that the achievement of MADA can be taken up and validated by the local people,” said Prof. Yan Xue.
Zhou Pingjian, the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, stated during the harvest ceremony at JKUAT that hard work is not enough.
Instead, he added that it was necessary to merge it with science, technology, and education to increase the output of maize and other agricultural produce.
“Everybody values the importance of food adequacy. So as a policy we are willing to deepen cooperation with our friends particularly African friends who is Kenya, through our cooperation in this field,” said Dr. Pingjian.
He also stated China’s willingness to do more with JKUAT and Kenya in general through the poverty reduction and agricultural development program announced by China’s president Xi Jinping is an outcome of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation’s nine programs (FOCAC) meeting held in Senegal in the fall of 2021.
“In the political report through the national congress of the ruling party, we’ve made it clear. China is prepared to invest more resources in development cooperation and China is firmly committed to support and assist other developing countries in accelerating development,” said Dr. Pingjian.
“So as your friends in the Chinese embassy we are willing to facilitate your cooperation with Chinese partners and we appreciate you giving us this precious opportunity to witness the initial harvest.”
Prof. Victoria Wambui, Vice Chancellor of JKUAT, stated that witnessing the ceremony was one of the most fulfilling outcomes of JKUAT researchers and scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, on maize production.
She also mentioned that the news of the 50% more yields than crops in the surrounding area planted with the same cultivar revealed the importance of international research partnerships in solving cross-border problems.
“In this project, a Chinese technology was applied in Kenya and the outcome now promises to revolutionize maize production with potential impacts going beyond Kenya. As a university we are proud of this enviable outcomes of our collaboration with Wuhan Botanical Garden Chinese Academy of Sciences,” Prof. Wambui said while commending the researchers on the important milestone even as she wished them the very best in their other targeted research undertakings.
Many farmers, especially those in water-scarce areas, can only feel hopeful with this agricultural technology that has increased maize production for Kenya when the nation is experiencing a food supply shortage due to the prolonged drought.
According to Prof. Wambui, the technology will significantly increase local production of the staple crop while also demonstrating the validity of research as the only viable solution to societal obstacles like those encountered in the agricultural sector.
“SAJOREC has emerged as an important platform of scientific cooperation between Chinese and African scientists. Through the facility we are able to nurture young talents focussed on undertaking research in various thematic areas.”
“Through this partnership young staff members from JKUAT have had an opportunity to train in top Chinese universities bringing new knowledge and strengthening our teaching and research capabilities,” she noted.
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