Why Quinoa Possesses the Greatest Food Security Potential

Quinoa was named the crop of the year in 2013 because it is a climate-smart plant that can withstand harsh weather conditions while providing farmers with high returns.

A decade later, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) introduced this magical plant into Kenya, primarily for research purposes to determine its suitability.

Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) has begun commercializing quinoa after local varieties proved viable, paving the way for the introduction of this high-value crop with unrivalled returns.

According to Lusike Wasilwa, Kalro’s director of research, FAO introduced five varieties in Embu, where they recorded impressive results, which have now informed the decision to expand on a commercial scale.

“From the field trials that we conducted the variety did very well as we got between 2.8 and five tonnes of quinoa from an acre,” said Dr Wasilwa.

Quinoa is a gluten-free grain that many people use for seasoning, and its popularity has grown in recent years, particularly among wealthy, health-conscious Kenyans.

Dr. Wasilwa stated that Kalro will begin planting quinoa on large acreage this year in order to promote food security.

She claims that a single quinoa plant can yield up to a kilogramme, providing farmers with higher returns.

“Some plants can yield a kilogramme up to two kilogrammes and the fact that it is drought tolerant, makes it the best bet for farmers as they will get yields throughout the year without necessarily relying on rains,” she said.

A kilogramme of quinoa can cost up to Sh1,500 in Kenyan supermarkets, with the majority of supplies coming from South American countries.

Quinoa is currently available in Carrefour and Food Plus supermarkets.

A quick trip to Carrefour reveals that a 250-gram packet costs Sh499 at this store. A few farmers in the country have adopted it, primarily in central Kenya, where it was first tested for suitability; however, what has been harvested is merely a drop in the bucket and cannot meet demand.

“Only a few farmers are growing it now but from this year we are targeting a large number of farmers to increase supply and cut dependence on imports,” said Dr Wasilwa.

Given the current effects of climate change on most crops, quinoa is a safe bet for farmers as rain patterns become more erratic.

Kenya is in for another round of heavy rains, with forecasters predicting below-average precipitation during the main season, which runs from March to May.

Quinoa is primarily harvested as grain, but its nutritious stalk can be fed to livestock as green fodder or dried and processed as feeds.

Its leaves can be eaten as vegetables when green, as it belongs to the same family as amaranth, which is popular in Kenyan households.

The crop is a major component in the fight against disease because it is rich in calcium and all the other necessary vitamins, which strengthens the immune system. Additionally, it contains a lot of fiber.

There are currently enough seeds in Kenya, but Kalro is awaiting registration from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service before distributing them to farmers.

Dr. Wasilwa stated during a Kalro farmers’ field day at the National Agriculture Research Laboratory Centre (NARLO) that they hope to begin partial commercialization this year and expect to complete commercialization of the crop by 2025.

The new plant was supposed to be commercialized in the arid West Pokot County, according to Esther Gikonyo, director of the Kalro Center, but the plans were derailed by the General Elections.

“We were ready to launch quinoa in West Pokot and we had received donors to support the programme, but we put the plans on hold due to the election,” said Dr Gikonyo.

The government is promoting the adoption of numerous crops, including quinoa, to combat the effects of climate change, which are partly responsible for food insecurity.

On the path to food security, efforts are also being made to increase the production of orphaned crops like millet, sorghum, and cassava, which can withstand harsh climatic conditions.