By Checky Abuje
Bamboo farming is among the best initiatives meant to stabilise soil along the riparian ecosystems to control the adverse effects of climate change caused by flooding.
In the Budalangi sub-county, Western Kenya has experienced unprecedented flooding that has always resulted in human and animal deaths, property destruction and farming activities interfered with as farmers keep counting losses.
However, the launch of a bamboo farming project in Budalangi along the banks of River Nzoia and the shores of Lake Victoria by UNEP program director Guoqin Wang’ has been seen as a pointer towards restoring and conserving the environment for sustainable development in the flood-prone area of Budalangi in Western Kenya.
Speaking during the launch of the projects Wang’ said this initiative aims to mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure residents rip the benefits of sustainable development and urged residents and farmers to embrace and support the initiative.
“This initiative looks at the broader picture of stabilising the soil through planting bamboo along the river bank of river Nzoia, Yala and shores of Lake Victoria to help counter the risks and effects of climate change.
She said that the bamboo projects also target markets for the farmers and the locals and at the same time promote the planting and value additions of the bamboo crop to help the farmers and the locals get value for the initiative.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology who also grace the occasion reiterated their willingness to offer technical support in research to help farmers understand the economic benefits of bamboo farming besides environmental conservation.
Professor Denis Ochuodho the Director of Blue Economy at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University said that the project dubbed “global bamboo village initiative” will have far-reaching benefits of mitigating the effects of climate change and making sure that farmers can get value from the projects if well maintained.
Bamboo farmers who attended the launch expressed confidence saying they will double their efforts to ensure this project succeeds as it promises a bright future. They challenged fellow residents of Budalangi and people living along Rivers Nzoia, Yala and the shores of Lake Victoria to join the initiative to promote environmental conservation and capitalise on the bamboo plant’s economic benefits.