Organic technology changes prospects for Kenyan farmers.

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - A new technology that has been on trial in Kenya for the past three years is poised to radically change the way farmers and environmental managers carry out their business.

The introduction of Effective Micro-organisms (EM), an organic product developed in Japan by Prof. Teruo Higa of the University of Ryukyu in Okinawa, has already shown positive benefits in garbage and sewer management.

It has also shown positive results in crop and livestock husbandry as well as in the control of mosquitoes, houseflies, ticks and cockroaches.

Since EM utilises naturally occurring "useful" bacteria, it is reported to have no negative effects on the environment while crops grown using the technology are said to be of better quality and have a longer shelf life.

A report jointly produced by the Kenyan public health and water development departments says that EM accelerates the breakdown of waste matter and prevents the emission of foul smells that are commonly associated with sewerage and industrial effluent treatment works.

It says the odour that emanates from tanneries and pulp processing factories will be a thing of the past once EM is introduced into their wastewater disposal units.

On Monday, Prof. Higa and a scientists from the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) were at the Eastern provincial capital of Embu, 136 km north of Nairobi, to share experiences with residents at an EM conference.