Bomet County has flagged off a major nutrition and food security boost for schools following the donation of 3,000 kilograms of Nyota bean seeds and 1,500 kilograms of green gram (ndengu) seeds from Harvest Plus.
The consignment received and dispatched to 125 schools, will support the county’s Homegrown School Feeding Program.
Each school will cultivate beans on one-acre plots, totaling 125 acres, while green grams will be distributed to institutions in Bomet’s lower zones to diversify food production and diets.
Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok, while flagging off the consignment, said the initiative is part of his administration’s efforts to improve the health and learning outcomes of school-going children.
“We are grateful for this partnership with Harvest Plus. The Nyota beans, which are high in iron and zinc, and the green grams will go a long way in boosting nutrition among our pupils while also encouraging schools to take part in sustainable food production,” said Prof. Barchok.
The high-iron and zinc-rich beans were sourced from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and are expected to provide critical nutrients for growing children. Once harvested, they will be incorporated into daily school meals, enhancing both diet quality and classroom performance.
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Prof. Barchok emphasized that the county is committed to tackling malnutrition through integrated approaches that link agriculture, education, and health.
“Our aim is to ensure that no child misses school because of hunger or poor nutrition. A healthy learner is a better learner,” he added.
The programme also seeks to instill a farming culture among learners while creating awareness of nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
The leaders noted that schools would serve as demonstration centers for parents and communities to adopt similar practices at the household level.
The donation marks a significant step in strengthening Bomet’s school feeding programme and supporting the broader goal of building a resilient agricultural base.
With schools now set to begin planting, the county is optimistic that the harvests will translate into better meals, improved concentration in class, and higher attendance rates, also ensuring that learners not only grow in knowledge but also in health.
By Philip Koech
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