UNEARTHING PWANI’S RICHES THROUGH MINERAL EXPLORATION

UNEARTHING PWANI’S RICHES THROUGH MINERAL EXPLORATION

The mining sub-sector account for about 1% of the GDP and contributed about Kenya Shillings 11 billion to the national export earnings in 2008, the majority contributed by the soda ash operation at Lake Magadi in south-central Kenya.

Kenya is endowed with a wide range of minerals such as soda ash, fluorspar, limestone, barite, gypsum, salt, dimension stone, silica sand, soapstone, manganese, copper, zinc, titanium, lead, nickel, carbon dioxide, chromite, pyrite, rare earth elements and phyrochore. Gold is produced primarily by artisanal workers in the west and south western parts of the country, on several small greenstone belts while Iron ore is mined from small localized deposits for use in the domestic manufacture of cement.

I emphasize here that mining can act as an engine for socio-economic development by diversifying exports, widening the tax base, generating skilled employees, creating demand for local goods and services, making contribution to infrastructure development. However there is inadequate geological information on the Country’s mineral potential and outdated legislation still govern the Industry.  While it is true that all unexplored minerals remain as the Government’s property, to maximize benefits from the sector, the participation of the private sector must not be overlooked. This in my opinion calls for policy and legislative reforms.

More focus should be put on intensifying geological mapping and geo-data management to facilitate understanding of the country’s geology, its associated hazards and exploitation of mineral resources which will provide information that may lead to discovery of minerals of commercial value while also maximize the benefits of already available ones.

Mining of Limestone for cement manufacturing, Iron ore, Titanium is done in Kwale while Celica for sheet glass and Gemstones mining occurs in Taveta regions of the Coast Province. Clearly seen as one of the largest potential capital projects in Kenya is the Kwale Hill heavy mineral sands project that is being developed along the country's south-eastern coast. The question is what has been done to exploit this great potential? It is sad to note that despite the huge potential of mining in the Coast, it remains largely undeveloped. Most of these minerals still remain unexploited due to inadequate knowledge on their status, economic viability and appropriate mining technologies.

A thriving mining industry in the Coast Province can be achieved through encouraging small scale mining which offers opportunities to support rural livelihoods and local entrepreneurship by addressing the factors that limit small- scale mining, particularly lack of access to finance and recognition of mineral rights and incentives to operate legally. Small scale mining groups or individuals need to be encouraged to form cooperatives and register self-help groups so that they are able to attract necessary resources to enable them develop sustainable operations. Together with this, community sensitization on mining activities and its benefits is key. Whereas titanium is largely available in Kwale, very few locals understand its worth. Due to its excellent resistance to sea water and lightweight, titanium is used in the construction of make fishing vessels and ships which transverse the great oceans in the world. As an important pigment for industrial, domestic and artistic applications, it could play a big role in the paint industry. Titanium also has potential use in desalination plants for converting sea water into fresh water. Such an understanding, I believe would increase business involvement in the industry.  Modernizing the mineral laboratory would guarantee up-to-date sampling and testing and adoption of modern techniques in mining and environment protection is paramount to minimize environmental degradation attributed to mining activities.

I also encourage the University colleges in the region; Pwani University College, Taita Taveta University College and Mombasa Polytechnic University College to strengthen programmes in Mining and mineral exploration as a way of building up the human resource base for the industry. The middle level colleges also have a role to play in providing hands on skills on the different aspects of the economic activity.

Under the new constitution the Government is obliged to ensure sustainable exploitation of the environment and natural resources as well as equitable sharing of the accruing benefits. Already, an appropriate mineral prospecting and mining policy conducive to investment and Private Public Partnerships (PPP) in the mining sector is in place. A draft mining and Minerals bill seeks to address intergenerational equity and sustainable utilization of mineral resources. Environmental conservation in mineral resource development, alternative mine closure and development of new mine sites together with value addition of raw minerals before export as a way of increasing returns for the people of Kenya. The policy is expected to unlock the potential of the mining sector in Kenya to attract new investment in the exploration for and exploitation of minerals resources so that the country is able to compete for international investment effectively.

The Government through the Nuclear Electricity Project plans to adopt the use of nuclear energy as a long-term energy source for the country by the year 2022. Alluvial deposits of uranium which is raw material in nuclear energy production found along the coastline in Kenya could make this dream a reality because of the readily available raw material.

I propose that the Government set-up raw materials research Institute to help explore on maximizing the potential of these minerals through value-addition for economic development. I think the Coast Province is the most ideal site given its great wealth of minerals.

It is important for the leadership in this industry to strive and identify appropriate technology that can be used. Benchmarking with countries like Canada could help country adopt such technologies.

The Coastal population should seriously take up this economic activity to their advantage.  Local leaders should create enabling environment for investors to encourage investment and ensure that the province reaps the full economic and social benefits that mining development promises. The expected economic benefits should be maximized through capacity building and promotion of value addition.

FISHING ACTIVITIES FOR WEALTH CREATION IN THE COASTAL REGION

FISHING ACTIVITIES FOR WEALTH CREATION IN THE COASTAL REGION 

Fisheries industry is a crucial source of income and livelihood for hundreds of millions of people around the world. Fish and fish products provides, high quality protein, essential nutrients and minerals that are often difficult to obtain from other food sources. The world fish production reached a record 142 Million tonnes according to FAO Report; The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture2010.

Aquaculture plays an increasingly important role in the world fish production.    According to the FAO estimation an additional 37 million tonnes of fish per year will be needed by 2030 to maintain current levels of fish consumption for an expanded world population. By 2030, the addition of 2 billion more people to the world population will mean that aquaculture will need to produce nearly double that; 85 million tonnes of fish per year just to maintain the current per capita consumption levels (FAO 2007). The demand and therefore the market for aquaculture production will continue to rise with the rising world’s population.

In Kenya, over 500,000 people are directly employed by the sector, while over 1 million benefit from it. The freshwater fisheries especially Lake Victoria supports about 35,000 fishers and marine fisheries over 8,000 fishers. The majority of these fishers are artisanal using un-mechanized fishing vessels. The country earns over KShs. 4 billion in foreign exchange and the fishers over KShs. 7 billion, thus contributing to poverty alleviation especially among fishing communities in the country.

Kenya has great potentials for aquaculture growth.  Although endowed with climatic diversity, natural features and resources that favour the culture of a wide variety of aquaculture species, only a small portion of these resources are utilized.  In a survey carried out by the Ministry of Fisheries Development, results show that there is enormous potential for aquaculture in the country; the areas suitable for fish farming cover over 1.14 million hectares. If this potential is fully exploited, fish production could be increased to 11 million tones per annum earning about Ksh 750 billion. The Current production is only 4,220 metric tonnes with a total area under aquaculture production standing at only 722 hectares. Although extensive fishing is carried out inland and in some cases leading to over exploitation of inland fishing grounds, aquaculture and marine fishing underdeveloped while the vast Ocean waits to be exploited.

In order to encourage fish farming among the Coastal people, it is essential that both farmers and financial institutions be convinced that fish farming can be profitable and not just for subsistence. Kenya has a good base on which to expand its aquaculture output. Several possible activities that could harness this potential include: culture of food fish, shellfish and seaweed, fish culture for sport, raising of ornamental specimens for export, the recycling of organic waste and the production of industrial fish products such as fish meal and fertilizers, providing basic infrastructure for aquaculture development e.g. roads, electricity to fish farming areas, water, schools, hospitals and telecommunication and radio network systems, creating a legal framework and policies for aquaculture development, providing land for aquaculture development.  An imperative to all this would be to create awareness of the huge potential, involving the communities and other stakeholders in the industry, encouraging small-scale fishermen to form groups and societies to help market their products. Encouraging the private sector to drive the growth of the aquaculture sector through public private partnerships is also key.

Besides fish for food, marine resources also provide for recreation through sport fishing and angling, mangrove and coral reefs.  The marine big game sport fishing significantly contributes to coastal tourism. Auxiliary industries like boat and net making also spring up from fishing. Appropriate technology especially in boat making can greatly promote marine fishing.

   I would like to urge KMFRI research activities to continue to focus on the development of appropriate technology for fishing especially marine, the efficient system of transportation, processing, value addition, storage, preservation and marketing of fish and fishery products, to make them acceptable to local and export markets and utilization of fish by-products.

Aquaculture can make an important contribution to poverty alleviation, food security and social well-being. China remains the largest fish producing country with about a third of the World’s fish production coming from it alone. Extensive aquaculture has enabled it to export aquaculture products, earning major source of foreign exchange which is then invested to further its development. It is possible to do likewise in the this region, if all the players focus on strategic direction. We must take fishing as business and not just for subsistence purpose.

SCIENCE, IT AND INNOVATION ARE THE KEY DRIVERS OF OUR VISION 2030

Science, technology and innovation will play a key role as Kenya aspires to become a globally competitive and prosperous nation as envisioned in the Vision 2030. Vision 2030 is a vehicle for accelerating transformation of the country into a rapidly industrializing middle-income nation with a sustained economic growth of 10 per cent per annum by the year 2030.

There is an urgent need for the government to create an enabling environment through the formulation of policies that promote the use of science and technology, integrating the science policy into our nation’s development agenda and ensuring that adequate funding for the implementation of the science and technology plan is available.

It is important to have a national research agenda and prioritize to avoid duplication and maximize our resources. Universities and research institutions must stop doing research for the sake of academic progress. They need to research on ways of addressing food insecurity, unemployment, diseases, illiteracy and poverty.

Greater efforts should be geared towards encouraging young Kenyans to pursue science and engineering courses. This can be achieved by demystifying science education and by creating suitable employment opportunities for them.

Currently we are doing about 200 PhDs per year while in my opinion we need to produce not less than 1,000 PhDs. The country has less than a dozen oncologist’s yet about 80,000 new cancer cases are reported annually. What are we doing to mainstream training in fields like oncology for example?

A strong innovation system is also important. Besides, networking and interactions between key players including policymakers, scientists, civil society and the private sector need to be strengthened. Ensuring increased awareness of science and technology will facilitate public understanding and appreciation of their great potential to improve agriculture, nutrition, environment, water, and health for all Kenyans. The media involvement is paramount to widen the public access scientific information that can transform lives.

Promoting the use of existing new technologies such as biotechnology is also key for development. It is also important to utilize the extensive traditional knowledge available among the various Kenyan communities. It is also imperative for us to promote research and application for forecasting, prevention and mitigation of emergencies and natural hazards, particularly, floods, landslides, drought, and epidemics.

Space science technology using geospatial information systems offers an opportunity to improve environmental decision making to disaster warning and relief services and environment monitoring and management. Increasing funding for basic and applied research at higher institutions of learning will increase the country’s pool of skills and talent through training that is relevant to the needs of the economy.

The creation and sustenance of innovative funding mechanisms such as venture capital to fund development of new and innovative products, processes, and systems and support incubations and start-ups will promote entrepreneurship and commercialization. We should strive to allocate at-least 1 per cent of our GDP to research and development.

Promoting an Intellectual Property Rights regime that maximizes the incentives for the generation and protection of intellectual property will also provide a strong, supportive and comprehensive policy environment for speedy and effective domestic commercialization of inventions and innovations to maximize public good/interest.

RAIN WATER – A RESOURCE THAT MUST TO BE TAPPED TO ENHANCE FOOD PRODUCTION

RAIN WATER – A RESOURCE THAT MUST TO BE TAPPED TO ENHANCE FOOD PRODUCTION

About 80% of Kenya’s land area is classified as either Arid or Semi arid and possess a challenge in supporting agricultural activities. Some of the challenges affecting Kenyan Agriculture include climate change, which has drastically affected urban water system. A change in precipitation patterns towards more dry periods has led to food shortages that are currently affecting an estimate of 10 million Kenyans. The intense storms experienced when the rain finally comes have led to floods and surface runoffs resulting in erosion of the topsoil that is most viable for agricultural activities. Loss of soil fertility has then driven farmers to engage in massive destruction of forests and woodlands and other catchment’s areas to pave way for more productive farming.  Rather than allowing rainwater to flow over the surface of the earth and cause environmental disasters, such as landslides, floods and soil erosion, it can be harnessed for use in households, agriculture, and industrial use as well as for environmental improvement.  We often complain when we get dry spells, but we equally talk negatively when heavy rains pour. The climatic pattern in this country is predictable albeit to some extent.

Rainwater harvesting is the gathering or accumulation and storage of rainwater above the ground or charge it underground for future use. Extensive rainwater harvesting apparatus existed 4000 years ago in the Palestine and Greece. As early as the third millennium BC, farming communities in India, what was called Baluchistan impounded rainwater and used it for irrigation dams. In industrialized countries, rainwater harvesting systems have been developed for the purpose of reducing water bills, watering crops, or providing drinking water. Appropriate technology methods, such as solar water disinfections, provide low-cost disinfections options.

In countries as Uganda and Sri Lanka, for example, rainwater is collected from trees, using banana leaves or stems as temporary gutters; up to 50 gallons of water may be collected from a large tree in a single rainstorm. Many other countries are using sophisticated filtration and catchment tanks to benefit households or entire villages. Harvesting rainwater is growing in usage once more due to diminishing resources and an ever growing population.

Traditionally, rainwater harvesting has been practiced in arid and semi-arid areas, and has provided water that can be used for domestic, livestock and irrigation or commercial purposes and as a way to replenish ground water levels. This happens naturally in open rural areas. But in congested, over-paved metropolitan cities, we need to create methods to capture the rainwater. Rainwater harvesting is essential as surface water is inadequate to meet our demand and we have to depend on ground water. Due to rapid urbanization, infiltration of rainwater into the sub-soil has decreased drastically and recharging of ground water has diminished.  With limited water resources on the one hand and increasing demands for water on the other, there is a growing awareness to collect rainfall and make more efficient use of the water. Water conservation and development of alternative water supplies is thus necessary to meet our growing demand for fresh water.  

The two main techniques of rainwater harvesting: Storage of rainwater on surface for future use, and recharge to ground water.  The storage of rainwater on surface is a traditional technique and structures used were underground tanks, ponds, check dams, weirs etc. Recharge to ground water is a rather new concept and the structures generally used are: - pits, trenches, dug wells, hand pumps, recharge wells and recharge shafts.

The most basic example of a rainwater harvesting system would be of a rooftop collection. The water is collected and transported via ducts, pipes, or gutters. It is then filtered through a mosquito screen into a large barrel. A more complex example would be one used for potable water (drinking water). The water may be collected and diverted using the standard piping, but it is then filtered, often through sand and/or ultraviolet sterilization, and other filters. This technology is available locally. Along with the filtration process, there are a series of valves to aid in filtering and routing the water through the system. It may then be connected to the plumbing household fixtures for use within the home. Rainwater harvesting systems compliments water from wells and other sources, and, in many contexts, is often a more cost effective source of soft, high quality water.

            Rainwater harvesting technology is low cost and simple. It has a high potential of improving the living standards of millions of people especially them that live in dry areas by eradicating poverty and hunger, provision of safe drinking water and sanitation, ensuring environmental sustainability, promoting gender equity and women empowerment. Additionally, water scarcity especially for domestic and agricultural purposes compromises the role of women in food production. Hence, provision of water by promoting rainwater harvesting and management technologies reduces the burden for rural women thus increasing their productivity.

            Rainwater harvesting is an innovative alternative water supply approach anyone can use.  It captures, diverts, and stores rainwater for later use. Implementing the technique directly benefits our country by reducing demand on the water supply, and reducing run-off, erosion, and contamination of surface water. Strategies to effectively utilize the available water resources and rainwater should therefore be employed in an effort to achieve water security, which is a great leap in attaining food security. We are feeling the heat now but knowing that heavy rains are around the corner, let us think of harnessing the rainwater.

IT’S TECHNOLOGY, NOT OCCASIONAL PRICE CUTS, THAT WILL GIVE US FOOD SECURITY

IT’S TECHNOLOGY, NOT OCCASIONAL PRICE CUTS, THAT WILL GIVE US FOOD SECURITY

The raging debate over the food prices in Kenya should now prompt policy makers to seriously think about how we can use biotechnology to address perennial food shortages.

Current food price increases differ from previous by covering nearly all major food and feeds and are predicted to persist for a long time. The concept of food security revolves around the adequacy of food supply or availability, stability of supply, access to food and utilisation. Africa’s food crisis existed before the global food crisis. Statistics indicate that over 25 per cent of African grain needs are met through importation from outside especially from USA and Canada. It is estimated that 20 million of Africa’s population depend on food aid and that 200 million people face food insecurity.

Food insecurity - a lack of access to adequate food to sustain oneself - is, for many in sub-Saharan Africa, a common thing. It is important to note that sub-Saharan Africa is the largest regional recipient of food aid. The causes of declining agricultural production and increasing food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa are many, interrelated and complex. They are the result of socio-political, economic, environmental and technological variables. To meet the increasing demand for food and to enlarge the basis for food security in sub-Saharan Africa productivity increases will therefore be required. This will not be through the expansion of the cultivated area but mainly through improvements in crop yields.

Greater attention must be given to measures that will improve the region’s ability to harness and apply new scientific and technological advances to increase food production. Take for example Kenya, about 80 per cent of the land is classified as ASAL, unless we have drought resistance crops and animals that that can adapt to such environment, production will always be affected.

Biotechnology offers new avenues for increasing food production in sub-Saharan Africa. Biotechnology is a technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives to make or modify products or processes for specific use. It has been around since the New Stone Age when human kind first learned the art of cross breeding plants and animals and of using yeast to leaven bread and ferment alcohol.

Agricultural, medical and environmental biotechnology offers Africa formidable tools to address food security, disease, environmental pollution and poverty. To fight hunger and malnutrition now rampant in Africa and to feed the ever expanding population, biotechnology offers opportunities for safe, abundant and higher quality food supply through sustainable use of Africa’s resources.  The results of the tissue culture banana projects undertaken in Kenya demonstrate that the technology is appropriate for and can be managed by small –scale farmers. The higher banana yields not only satisfy home consumption but also create surpluses for sale in the market place. Income from this activity can do much to reduce poverty and upgrade the social welfare of rural families and communities – hence meeting the MDG’s. The merits of embarrassing biotechnology include pprotecting biodiversity by doubling crop production on same area and saves forests/biodiversity. Reduce the need for external inputs hence saving of million tonnes of pesticides and conservation of soil, and water sustainability.  It can develop drought resistant crop varieties, improve the nutritional quality of such crops as cassava, millet and sweet potato, reduce post-harvest crop losses, improve livestock‘s resistance to diseases and enable farmers to cultivate in saline conditions.

Kenya hears from other countries in both the developed and developing world on how biotechnology application has significantly improved lives and livelihoods of millions of households.

The Government’s vision and commitment towards the promotion and exploitation of biotechnology is well articulated in the National Policy on Biotechnology. The policy provides a clear framework and vision for biotechnological applications in the country. Awareness creation is one of the key priority areas that the policy addresses. Kenya Government also stresses the need to institute adequate Biosafety measures that will ensure maximization of the benefits of the technology in optimal ways while minimsing the risks.

The Kenyan Biotechnology Policy commits to give priority attention to the provision of relevant infrastructure, framework, facilities and other resources for rapid and safe development and application of biotechnology in industry, agriculture, food, environment, health and research. In addition, the Government has committed to making adequate provisions for effective and efficient implementation of the main features of the policy by, among other things, providing appropriate and adequate legal regulatory framework and an enabling environment to attract investors. Through the policy, the Government has committed to partner with national and international development agencies to popularise biotechnology by addressing concerns surrounding it through sustained information, education and communications campaigns.

To move biotechnology forward, African countries must provide funding to implement the many initiatives drawn, train in risk assessment, management and communication, train in biotechnology and provide laboratory infrastructure for product, understand and strengthen Intellectual Property Rights regimes and managing them for national benefits, create awareness and inform the public discourse and formulate and implement biosafety legislations Reducing food prices alone is not enough.

Because we are in a free market economy, it is not possible to determine maize prices for farmers and millers. There are costs of farm inputs, transport, fuel, labour and many others that make the industry players set prices for the essential commodities. Therefore price controls exclusively on food prices is not a viable option when other factors are not looked into that encourage innovations and trade.

So, can we use biotechnology as a modern science, or what we refer as Big Science to alleviate many challenges of food crisis that Africa is facing? Yes we can!