The University of Nairobi has partnered with Taita Taveta county government to establish a cassava nursery.

Done under the Ruforum Cassava Value Chain Project, the deal will see a nursery for Tajirika and Shibe varieties set up, with the initiative seeking to cushion farmers from losses.

The two varieties mature in six months, are tolerant to drought and do well in poor soils. Agriculture executive Davis Mwangoma said cassava is an important crop thus there is need to improve its productivity.

Agriculture chief officer Boniface Mwakio said the department will facilitate multiplication and distribution of the varieties to farmers.

Lucy Mkanyika