The annual Mau Narok Cereal Growers Association (CGA) farmer field day is an annual field event where CGA brings farmers together to learn new farming technologies and to interact with exhibiting stakeholders.
This year, CGA organized the field day in partnership with East Africa Malting Ltd (EAML), Syngenta East Africa Ltd, Bayer crop Science, BASF and the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, in Narok and Nakuru Counties. The event was held on the 6th of December this year at Purko Sheep Ranch. Farmers turned up in their hundreds for this annual event.
During the event, EAML launched a new barley variety dubbed ‘Aliciana’. Aliciana offers better malting & brewing qualities, is resistant to water logging and promises a ten percent (10%) increase in yields.
To help Barley farmers achieve better yields, EAML promised to provide the certified seeds of this new variety at no additional costs ahead of the rainy season set to start in March 2019.
Speaking at the event Lawrence Maina, General Manager EAML which is a subsidiary of East African Breweries Limited (EABL) noted that the company had invested heavily in research to offer production solutions to barley growers. “We were keen on producing a variety that will be beneficial to our farmers in terms of improving yields and increasing their income. In addition to a shorter maturity period of 5 months, the plum grain of the Aliciana variety offers a better extract.” Said Mr. Maina.
Also present at the event was CGA CEO Mr. Anthony Kioko who applauded EAML for this invention. “This new barley variety is a very beneficial because of the many benefits to farmers.” Said Mr. Kioko. “Its higher yield capacity, resistance to adverse weather patterns and the presence of a ready market makes it a profitable venture,” he added.
Farmers in attendance were also trained on soil conservation and encouraged to practice crop rotation using crops such as canola and peas.
EABL sources about 50,000MT of barley from close to 1000 farmers in five counties of Narok, Nakuru, Usain Gishu and Meru. Narok county however produces the highest percentage of barley accounting for over 60% of total barley.