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!

SPACE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

SPACE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

It is common knowledge that Science, Technology and Innovation are the bedrock of Vision 2030.  It is widely accepted that a knowledge- based economy will be the engine of any developed country.  As I participated in African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for sustainable Development in Mombasa recently; what is space science and how does it impact the society. I asked myself how we can demystify the space technology? 

There are several ways that space technology could be applied for sustainable development. About 80% of land in Kenya is classified as semi- arid area, with unreliable rainfall which leads to decrease in agricultural production and increased poverty level, infact, hunger has been on our door steps on several occasions.  Space science technology through its application of remote sensing, global positioning systems and geographic information system gives information that when appropriately used would increase agricultural production.

On other hand, wetland degradation, unlike wetland loss, is difficult to detect and quantify.  However satellite image from high resolution sensors can be used to determine the parameters that measure wetland quality – which is still a challenge in Kenya.  Equally, the space technology can be used to obtain potential zones for finding different types of fish species in the ocean and lakes.  Kenya is blessed with about 620km coastline and about 210 nm, what have we done to tap into this great resource?

Imagine the enormous resources that can be identified and tapped; resources that for a long time have remained unexploited.  The technology can be extended even further from water purification, telemedicine and wireless networks to satellite imagery to improve environmental decision making to disaster warning and relief services, and environmental monitoring and management. 

During the recent conference in Mombasa, a common vision of African State was shared.  It came out clearly that space has no boundaries and required consolidated effort.  The need for improved coordination of current and future activities in space science in order to maximize the outputs was underscored. This to my opinion, will foster multi-lateral cooperation and largely eliminate the needs for any single country to shoulder the full burden of developing capability to utilize space applications.

A starting point in my opinion is on capacity building in satellite engineering, training scientists and engineers should be on top of the agenda.  After all, it’s the human resources that will deliver the Vision 2030. Kenya must develop significant number of space professionals and maintain national space capacities to develop space science and technology. A strong science and technology base is essential for supporting Kenya space capabilities.  This could be easily achieved by popularizing space activities as well as developing an early curiosity and future career interest among the youths in space science and technology.

The development of the necessary capacity including promotion for youth participation in space activities is important to nations that aspire to reap benefits out of space Science & Technology. May be included in school curricula?

Space science and technology research capacity is vital for innovation and industrial development with the aim of utilizing space applications to contribute to economic growth, reduction of poverty and creation of knowledge.  In the near future the establishment of Space Science Technology Research Institute in Kenya will be a necessity to coordinate all matters related to space sciences.

International co-operation offers opportunities in strengthening space technology capabilities with other emerging space nations. These capabilities will be realized through co-ordination and co-operative governance in addition to partnership and linkages with other nationals in areas of mutual interest for the peaceful uses of outer space. In the long term I envisage the establishment of Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education that will work closely with our Universities.

Knowledge about space, gained through scientific studies can have enormous economic and social benefit that contributes to meeting many societal needs, from human security to sustainable development. The use of space science for development in Africa presents opportunities that cannot be ignored, and there is need to establish institutional arrangements to enable Africa to tap the benefits.

The world is not about to slow down because Africa is lagging behind.  We need to frog jump to catch up; and is possible.  We must implement the policies that we have put in place. It is equally vital we put in adequate resources to support any viable initiatives in this area. I believe partnership between government and private sector linking up with Academia and research should make us realize our vision in using space science for sustainable development.

NUCLEAR TECHNIQUE CAN ALSO BE USED FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

NUCLEAR TECHNIQUE CAN ALSO BE USED FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

When we hear nuclear, often our minds think of Bombs! Apart from providing electricity needed to drive the world nations and especially the developing countries into greater growth and development, nuclear energy can be channelled into other economic areas which include agriculture, health, water technology and environment and also for industrial used.

In Agriculture, food security remains one of the most major constraints of development initiatives facing the world today. Boosting agricultural production requires enhanced crop varieties, effective pest and disease control, increased soil fertility, better soil and water management and improved food quality and safety.  One approach is through Mutation breeding that refers to the development of plant strains using mutagens including the irradiation of seeds. Through this procedure the natural process of evolution of the plants DNA is speeded up. Radiation-based techniques are applied to develop new crop varieties chosen with characteristics tailored to a particular environment such as grain with higher yield, better nutritional value, and tolerance to salty soil or resistance to a specific disease. For example in Kenya’s dry lands once unfit for agriculture have been transformed by cultivation of a new wheat variety developed by KARI  known called Njoro-BW1. This variety is bred to be tolerant to drought and use limited rainfall efficiently. The developed variety also shows moderate susceptibility to wheat rust and has high yields.  

In Livestock Development, nuclear energy has been applied in diagnosis of diseases in animals. IAEA is involved in validation of kits to measure antibodies against non- structural proteins of foot and mouth virus. These tests help distinguish between infected and vaccinated livestock and are of utmost importance in assessing countries as free from foot and mouth disease which has huge implications on livestock trade between borders. In the fight against insects and other livestock pests, sterile insect technique has been used in many parts of the world such as the Mediterranean fruit fly in Chile, screwworms which have been successfully eradicated in Libya and also fruit flies – this could be handy in our horticultural sector. The technique is a form of biological pest control and is an alternative to pesticides which have a serious impact on human health and environment. A classical example is the tsetse flies eradication in Zanzibar, subsequently allowing the introduction of cross breed cattle with a higher milk yield. The fact that the sterile insect technique can also be employed in the eradication of Anopheles mosquitoes which are a great menace in the African continent is great news for us. It is estimated that an African child under the age of five years dies every 60 seconds from malaria, making the disease one of the major diseases causing child mortality in the continent.

Inherent low soil fertility and its continuous depletion under traditional cropping and other poor land uses are one of the fundamental causes of declining food production in world agriculture.

Isotopic and nuclear techniques play an important role in identifying the source of pollutants from different land use practices and farming activities. Equally, nuclear techniques are ideal for measuring and monitoring irrigation water uptake by plants and losses through evaporation or deep drainage

In Medical field, Nuclear medicine uses radiation to provide diagnostic information about the functioning of a person’s organ or to treat them. Radiotherapy has been used to treat some medical conditions especially cancer where radiation is used to weaken or to destroy cancerous cells in the body. The thyroid, bones, heart, liver among other organs can now be easily imaged and disorders in their function revealed. For example an isotope of the element Radium, Ra-226 has been used in cancer therapy and Iodine -131 has been used to treat thyroid cancer. Based on this knowledge various radioisotopes have been attached to biologically active substance s and inserted in the body to help diagnose or even treat ailments in those organs in what is known as diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals. Radiopharmaceutical as a medical tool has helped in the early detection of diseases and ailments and together with awareness of early signs and symptoms has increased the probability of cure. We need to address these issues as we plan to realise the VISION 2030, we need a healthy nation to run the agenda.

        

Water plays a major role in agriculture and the overall wellbeing of animal and human populations. Strategies to effectively utilize the available water resources and rainwater should therefore be employed in an effort to achieve water security.  Isotope and related nuclear techniques are effective and unique tools for obtaining hydrologic information for a wide range of water resource management issues.  Isotope hydrology allows the identification of water characteristics; thereby helping to determine its source, pathway and rate of recharge which are very useful to help manage the scarce water resources. Presently, over eighty water projects deal with trans boundary aquifers, groundwater and surface water resources in Africa; Morocco, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin America. The use of isotope methods in determining recharge, leakage and evaporation from and into water harvesting systems, contributes to the protection of people from floods hazards and drought especially those in conflict-prone, arid and semiarid areas by providing them water security with harvested water for agriculture and domestic use. Are these not challenges that we need daily, affecting thousands of Kenyans? Can we use the nuclear technique to address them?

                                                                       

Environmental activities which focus on the sustainable use and management of natural resources and on using nuclear technologies to understand and protect marine and terrestrial environments can also be undertaken. With the assistance from IAEA, Scientists in the relevant fields are trained and expertise between them shared. Environmental pollutants can be monitored, changes in their quantities measured as a way to mitigate damages to the environment.  For example already we have a project up and running where Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute are involved as assistance from IAEA to help in the management of the coastal zones of Kenya.

We pose and ask; can we use nuclear and isotopic techniques to address the issues of food security, water, environmental challenges, new emerging health and diseases issue facing the world and especially the developing nations of the world like ours? Yes we can!

Prof Abdulrazak is the Executive Secretary, National Council for Science and Technology. sabdulrazak@yahoo.com