By Betty Wekesa I bettywekesa2000@gmail.com
For decades, tobacco farming was the primary source of livelihood for many a family in Kenya’s Busia County, despite the various health risks it posed. But tunes are fast changing, with farmers in Changara Division of Teso North sub-County now abandoning the leafy crop for beans.
In Kamunyong’ole village, Changara location, Joseph Imeli and several other local farmers say it was more challenging to grow tobacco than the now preferred iron beans, locally referred to as nyota (star).
As Imeli delightedly took the Sayansi team around his bean farm recently, he said, “Tobacco growing is extremely tedious. It is labour intensive and expensive, and with little returns. Tobacco farming also contributes to deforestation because the leaves must be cured before it is taken to the industry and this involves cutting down trees for wood fuel.”
The advantages of growing tobacco included getting free seeds and fertilisers from the tobacco company, and access to emergency loans, recoverable from the crop’s returns. The downside is that the industry dictates the purchasing price, leaving farmers with little financial gain, with some usually heavily indebted.
“The problem would be when tobacco leaves mature. Farmers would be desperate, as the company recovers its money first to settle loans,” says Imeli.
These, coming with related health risks, have discouraged many from continuing to farm tobacco. Scientists say tobacco farming has detrimental effects on the health of farmers who routinely touch and inhale the plant’s toxins, as they risk their lung tissues and expose themselves to nicotine poisoning.
“Tobacco farming has adverse effects on health, water, productivity and environment, and the WHO that is dealing with the issue will be a game-changer in farmers’ livelihoods,” Arthur Odera, the Busia Deputy Governor said during the launch of Tobacco-free farms locally.
“We only need to encourage farmers to venture into a variety of crops instead of one, which might also be counter-productive like tobacco, since Busia is an agriculturally endowed county,” he added.
During the inspection of the bean-seeds consignment at their offices, Symplicious Mukok, the County Executive Committee member (CEC) for livestock, fisheries and agriculture, said there was need for farmers to diversify. He discouraged them from tobacco dependence, citing earlier mentioned problems.
“Investing in food production instead of tobacco farming can promote sustainable agricultural practices, preserve our ecosystem, and ensure food security and good nutrition for our growing population,” he added.
In 2022, when the Cereal Growers Association started registering growers for the high-iron beans, Imeli grabbed the opportunity. He has since realised $2,863 more in one season, more than what he would earn from growing tobacco on his 2 acres. He earned $8,583 per year, compared to tobacco farming, which would give him $1,199.
Catherine Emeli, a World Health Organisation (WHO) affiliate and also a field officer, says tobacco growing bleached the farm, making it difficult to intercrop. She noted that tobacco farming also involves use of many agrochemicals, which are harmful to humans, animals and water sources.
“A day’s work in a tobacco farm leaves as much nicotine in the labourer’s body as someone who has consumed 50 cigarettes, which is harmful,” says Ms Emeli.
“Tobacco destroys people’s health. Around 8,000,000 million people die from tobacco and its products globally, compared to other diseases such as Tuberculosis and HIV/Aids, which account for about 2 million people. For every dollar gained from tobacco farming, one will have to use four dollars to rectify the resultant health problems,” she says.
In June 2021, the WHO, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and the Kenyan government initiated a programme to help farmers transition to producing more sustainable crops and lead healthier lives. The WHO project gave farmers iron beans seeds and provided ready market through the Farm to Market Alliance (FtMA) in partnership with WFP.
“This market gives farmers a new way to earn a living with none of the negative health effects that come from growing the labour intensive and toxic tobacco plants,” Eliya Barasa Kimameti, an Agribusiness Coordinator of Cereal Growers Association (CGA) in Busia County said.
“The project not only improves the health of farmers and citizens, but also builds the country’s food security and reduces carbon footprint,” said Kimameti.
With the help of volunteers trained by the WHO, more farmers are embracing health-friendly crops. So far some 5,000 farmers have switched from farming tobacco to growing the nyota beans, which they say is cheaper as one does not require fertilisers or pesticides. It also comparatively less labour-intensive.
According to Ms Emeli, farmers have to choose between life and death by planting food and not tobacco. This, she says, will benefit current and future generations.
