Figure: School children eager to taste snacks made from finger millet and sorghum.

ICRISAT Nov. 6, 2015

http://www.icrisat.org/newsroom/latest-news/happenings/happenings1700.htm#3

Various crop production technologies to meet climate change challenges were demonstrated to 200 farmers and several to agricultural officers at a recently held fair to celebrate World Food Day.

A message from Dr José Graziano da Silva, Director General FAO, urged farmers to change their food production strategies in view of extreme weather events due to changing climate. The message was read out by Ms Philigona A Ooko, Minister for Agriculture, Siaya County Government, Kenya. The view was reiterated by Mr Joseph Agoko, Chairperson, Siaya County Committee on Agriculture, who emphasized on the importance of including climate-smart sorghum, finger millet and groundnut in local farming systems to reduce risk of crop failure.

The fair provided a platform for the demonstration of different crop production technologies and also had on display smart food products and different agricultural machines.

Crop production technologies including row planting, plant spacing, fertilizer microdosing and cereal/legumes intercropping methods were demonstrated for sorghum, finger millet and groundnuts. Value-added smart food products such as sorghum and finger millet buns, chapatis, crackies and porridge were made on site for training local women. Siaya Groundnut Cooperative Society, supported by Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Agri-Business Project displayed groundnut products such as peanut butter, flour and other cooked products.