Delivering trees to farmers: improving strategies for germplasm supply

1. Delivering trees to farmers: improving strategies for germplasm supply Introduction to field exercise

2. Field exercise • Purpose and requirements • Methods • Reporting • Logistics • Introduction to region and history of interventions (following presentation)

3. Purpose and requirements • Farmers in the Thika region have been assisted in the development of fodder tree technologies, and the development of associated businesses • Donors are interested in further supporting germplasm supply activities in the Thika area • You have been asked to act as a reviewer on the donor’s behalf

4. Purpose and requirements • Your role is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of current supply systems, identify 2 or 3 priority intervention points, recommend how to intervene at these points, and give reasons for your decisions (see sheet)

5. Methods • Your methods are to view farms and initiate discussions with farmers, KATRESNO members and other stakeholders • We will be joined by KATRESNO representatives from outside the region – so, can consider ‘external’ interventions

6. Reporting • Participants organised into 4 working groups • Nominate a reporter • Report back in plenary on Friday morning • The results of this exercise will be considered in future planning for the region

7. Logistics • Hotel pick-up at 7 am, rendezvous and arrangement into working groups on edge of Nairobi • For practical reasons, we will divide into 2 parties, each containing 2 working groups • Will take about 1.5 hours to reach farms • Will view farms and hold discussions with stakeholders

8. Logistics • Will need translation at some farms – so, be clear in framing questions, be patient, and spend time in clarifying responses • Will return to hotel by ~ 3 pm to allow time for group work in afternoon • Bring strong shoes and notebooks • It may rain! • Will have lunch provided