By John Njue
Women in Kyuso sub-county
have something to smile about after they were introduced to use of donkey for
land preparation.
Even though donkeys have
been extensively used by people in many areas in the world their use has been
synonymous with backwardness, underdevelopment and low status.
Donkey ownership has been
associated to women in this area but is only used for ferrying water and farm
produce to the market. The symbolic animals for wealth have been considered to
be cattle, goats and sheep whereas donkeys reflect poverty and
marginalization.
Sustainable Land Management (SLM) project under the Ministry of livestock production
in Kyuso led by Mr. John Chege Ndung’u has done a difficult work to convince
the residents to use donkey for other activities such as land preparation
through plowing.
The farmer have been
sensitized to use donkey for plowing as well as how to make proper harness for
donkey using locally available materials.
Speaking with Mr. Chege at a
women plowing competition using donkeys at Kyandoo he said use of donkey for
other chore except ferrying water in the area is alleged to lower the social
status of the user.
He informed the
congregation that each family in Ukambani has a donkey but few have oxen for
plowing. Family without oxen and especially woman led family are queued last
when it comes to plowing services by those who have the oxen.
Due to the unreliable rain
fall experience in the area, farmer can use donkey for plowing instead of
waiting for those who have the oxen to come and offer the service at later
date. It’s expected that if farmers adopt using of donkey for plowing they will
do early planting and hence producing more leading to ensuring food security in
the area.
Kyuso Maarifa centre Field
officer Mr. John Njue also promised them of marketing linkages after harvesting
through Sokopepe platform which he said can also be accessed on mobile phone.
E.g. check agricultural commodity prices by sending a SMS Price#commodity
name#Town to 20245. E.g. Price#maize#Nairobi. For more info http://sokopepe.co.ke/
