By Staff Reporter
In Zaka District, a 34-year-old farmer, Amiel Jekese, is reaping the rewards of his perseverance in growing small grains, a crop well-suited to the area’s challenging weather conditions.
After switching from maize and cotton, Jekese is now expecting a bumper harvest from his small grain fields.
Speaking during a field day held at his home on April 30, Jekese urged locals to priorities small grain farming saying they are guaranteed a better harvest even with little rains.
“I am expecting a bumper harvest here, I am food secure for the whole season. I have already harvested some, enough for the family and all you see now is surplus which I am going to sell.
“So I urge others to try small grain, this is the only way we can make a living here and achieve vision 2030. People think the President or MP will bring money to achieve, the vision but no, we work on our own to get what we want,” said Jekese.
He further encouraged schools and parents to make sure that they educate youngsters about the small grains saying he noticed that there were form four learners who do not know millet or rapoko.
“I would have loved you to bring your children here so that they learn from seeing. I have discovered that most school children only know the names but cannot identify the crops in reality.
“They would pass through here to Zaka High and St Joseph asking me if it was wheat of millet. They do theory but practically they do not know these crops,” he said.
During the field day, he took attendants through his entire journey saying he grew the sorghum type as a trial but had seen that it was viable.
He also explained that there was need to plant the tall type around to attract birds while protecting the shorter type. And warned farmers against the fall army worm.
“I planted this tall type as a way to protect the shorter ones from birds. When they come they go straight for the taller ones and I can easily see them even if I am at home. Farmers can also use bird repellant chemicals which work when mixed well.
Jekese’s journey began when he realized that traditional crops like maize were no longer viable due to erratic rainfall patterns.
Inspired by his upbringing and agricultural background, he opted for small grains, which require less water and are more resilient.
Working tirelessly with his wife, Jekese has successfully cultivated a hectare of rapoko and half a hectare of millet and his dedication has not gone unnoticed.
