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KARI-McGill Food Security Research Project Innovating for resilient farming systems

Wangari R., Mutua M., Kimotho L. , Kisilu R ., and Seth A . KARI-McGill Food Security Research Project Innovating for resilient farming systems. Farmers’ voice in evaluation and up-scaling of resilient crops in Semi-Arid Eastern Kenya. Research to Feed Africa CIFSRF Symposium

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KARI-McGill Food Security Research Project Innovating for resilient farming systems

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  1. Wangari R., Mutua M., Kimotho L. , Kisilu R., and Seth A. KARI-McGill Food Security Research Project Innovating for resilient farming systems Farmers’ voice in evaluation and up-scaling of resilient crops in Semi-Arid Eastern Kenya Research to Feed Africa CIFSRF Symposium Naivasha, Kenya 23-27 June 2014 Photos: IDRC/PANOS, Sven Torfinn

  2. Background Tharaka county Mean - 265 mm Machakos Makueni

  3. Objective • To catalyse adoption through promotion and dissemination of resilient crop technologies using participatory evaluation for food and income security Key Issues • Prioritization and selection crop technologies through FGD resilience, food and nutrition security, income and household equity • Innovative participatory evaluation – PPATEs groups • Innovative upscaling – field days, farmer exchange visits, PPATEs affiliated SPATEs groups. • Link farmers to markets

  4. Ranking and selection of crop technologies before and after 3 seasons of participatory evaluation in AEZ LM4 and LM5 More rain received Receives low rain After Before After Before AEZ LM4 (Transition zone) 1. Green grams 2. Beans 3. Maize 4. Pigeon peas 5. Cowpeas 6. ALVs 7. Sweet potato 8. Cassava AEZ LM4 1. Green grams 2. Maize 3. Beans 4. Pigeon peas 5.Sweetpotato 6. Dolichos 7. Cowpeas 8. Cassava AEZ LM5 – (Semi arid zone) 1. Green grams 2. Cowpeas 3. Beans 4. Maize 5. Amaranth 6. Dolichos 7. Pigeon peas 8. Sorghum AEZ LM5 1. Green grams 2. Cowpeas 3. Dolichos 4. Pigeon peas 5.Sorghum 6. Maize 7. Amaranth 8. Beans

  5. Performance of selected crop technologies • Cowpea and green grams more consistent yields across seasons • Beans performed well only in AEZ LM4 • Sorghum – issues of bird scaring

  6. Comparison of improved technologies vs. farmers’ practice Good agronomic practices Farmers’ Traditional Practices

  7. Crop technology evaluations and field activities Evaluation activities with PPATEs SPATEs harvesting green grams on farm

  8. Improved seed purchased by farmers during 2013 Short Rains

  9. Up-scaling, field days, farmer exchange visit Tomorrow’s farmers Farmer exchange visit

  10. Farmer linked to Markets - Sales of Green Grams

  11. Innovative Market Linkages Ksh 2,232,719 - Total sales realised in 2014 by farmers in Mwala, Makindu and Yatta • 3,800 kg of green grams worth Ksh 250,000 in Mwala • 3,080 kg worthKsh 246,400 from the MakinduPPATEs • 6,278 kgworthKsh 502,240 from SPATEs. • 3,993 kg worthKsh 319,447 from Yatta district • 4666 kg worthKsh 373,282 from SPATEs. • Ksh 532,350 from Tharaka district

  12. Success story Francis Mutua: “My neighbours are my constant visitors at my farm and have been emulating the use of improved technologies and I am happy for they appreciate what I do” Francis used to harvest 30-50 kg/acre of green grams and currently450 kg/acre

  13. Implications • Increased use of improved seeds • Government advocacy at all levels for use of high value traditional crops • Construction of silos structures for grain surplus storage • Government to play a key role in licensing qualified agricultural suppliers to avoid sale of substandard goods

  14. Acknowledgements • This research was made possible through the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (#106510). The Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) is a program of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD). • We would also like to thank: • Director, KARI • Associate Directors, Centre Directors • Freshco seed company • Farmers • Ministry of Agriculture • Researchers Photos: IDRC/PANOS, Sven Torfinn

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