Matungu chiefs trained on seed banking and climate change to boost food security

Participants sensitised on conservation, seed preservation, healthy eating habits.

by HILTON OTENYO

Nyanza24 September 2025 - 09:22

In Summary

The sensitisation drive, held during Green Action Week 2025 at Matungu market and organised by the Youth Education Network, brought together chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders.
For Ejinja assistant chief Redemta Wameyo, the training was a revelation. She said farmers are often stranded at the onset of planting seasons after consuming or selling all their produce.

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Administrators in Matungu, Kakamega County, have received training on seed banking and climate change in an effort to strengthen sustainable food systems and safeguard community livelihoods.

The sensitisation drive, held during Green Action Week 2025 at Matungu market and organised by the Youth Education Network, brought together chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders.

Participants were taken through practical lessons on environmental conservation, seed preservation and healthy eating habits aimed at boosting productivity while tackling lifestyle diseases.

For Ejinja assistant chief Redemta Wameyo, the training was a revelation. She said farmers are often stranded at the onset of planting seasons after consuming or selling all their produce. “Our people will now understand that it’s not a must to buy seeds every time they want to plant. By saving their seeds, they can avoid delays that affect production,” she said.

Namamali chief Edward Rapando welcomed the initiative, noting that traditional methods of seed preservation once guaranteed food security. “The seed banking technique is not new. Older generations preserved their own seeds and there was sufficient food,” he said.

Youth Education Network director Michael Mung’oma said the campaign is designed to help communities understand both their contribution to climate change and the solutions within their reach. He emphasised the importance of quality seeds in securing reliable harvests.

“The harvest of what farmers plant is not guaranteed because of the effects of climate change, and the situation is made worse when they use low-quality seeds. But when they plant their own preserved seeds, they can be sure of their returns,” Mung’oma said.

He added that chiefs and elders were deliberately targeted because of their wide reach through barazas and their knowledge of community practices. “Most stakeholders in climate change action should come from the grassroots. We are happy with the government’s allocation for climate change and hope the funds will trickle down where they are most needed,” he said.

Mung’oma also urged the inclusion of climate change in school curricula, encouraging learners to engage in Competency-Based Education approaches that make the subject practical. “We visit schools to teach learners about seed banking, bridging the intergenerational gap because this knowledge risks being lost,” he added.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The Matungu seed banking and climate change sensitisation effort highlights a smart grassroots approach to food security. By targeting chiefs, assistant chiefs, and elders—who hold influence in communities—the Youth Education Network ensures the knowledge spreads widely and practically. The revival of traditional seed preservation is particularly timely, as climate change continues to erode crop reliability and farmers face rising costs of certified seeds. Linking food production with healthy eating also broadens the impact beyond farming. If supported with adequate funding and school-based training, this initiative could bridge intergenerational gaps and make communities more resilient against climate shocks.