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Author Archives: Vivian Atakos
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Tenfold potato harvest for youth in Meru, Kenya
Access to clean seed, knowledge of good agronomic practices and hard work leads youth to a tenfold potato harvest in Kibirichia, Meru County, Kenya. Atop a hillside, in the remote village of Kathetene, Meru County in Kenya, 23-year-old Stanley Muriuki wakes up at 5am to begin his day. He scouts through a two-acre potato plot … Continue reading
CIP / Countries / Crops / East Africa / Kenya / Partners / Regions / Uncategorized / Value chains
Engaging county governments for better project impact and sustainability
As the three year Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) project winds up in September 2018, the potato value chain reports several achievements. First is the successful introduction and dissemination of new potato technologies—drought, pest and disease tolerant varieties; use of quality seed by farmers; adoption of apical rooted cuttings by seed … Continue reading
AVCD / CIP / Crops / Kenya / Value chains
Supporting mothers through diversified nutrition education to promote healthy diets for their families
Teresa Nekesa with her youngest child in her OFSP plot. Credit: V. Atakos (CIP-SSA) In Webuye East sub-county, Bungoma County, 30-year-old Teresa Nekesa ushers us into her house with a smile, her two young children in tow. Her other two children are studying at a nearby school. She informs us that the youngest just turned … Continue reading
AVCD / CIP / Kenya / Value chains
Creating access rekindles dreams of a brighter future: Clean seed potato improves productivity
VPA Mary Kinya holding well sprouted seed potato (Konjo variety) harvested from rooted cuttings in October 2017. The potato had been sprouted in her Diffuse Light Store (pictured in the background) Credit: FIPS Mary Kinya is a Village Potato Advisor (VPA) for Buyene village in Meru, she says, “For so long I have lived a … Continue reading
Accelerating potato and sweetpotato value chains with innovations in Kenya
The USAID supported Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) program organized a successful national conference on the 26th and 27 April in Nairobi. Addressing over 400 participants at the conference, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta applauded the project for contributing to his government’s three of four big goals: food security, healthcare and … Continue reading
AVCD / CIP / Crops / East Africa / Kenya / Value chains
Getting seed potato production right
Isaiah Kemei is one of progressive seed potato multipliers in Kenya’s Uasin Gishu County. Before becoming a seed potato multiplier in 2016, Isaiah had been planting potatoes for sale at the local markets for more than seven years. “At that time I used to experience high disease incidence especially bacterial wilt in my potato fields … Continue reading
CIP / Countries / Crops / East Africa / Kenya / Partners / Regions / Value chains
Learning visit: Moving towards certified seed potato production in Kenya’s North Rift
Decentralized seed potato multipliers and county officers in Kenya’s North Rift —part of the Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) project—undertook an educational tour aimed at showcasing procedures and practises for producing certified seed. Continue reading
AVCD / CIP / Countries / Crops / East Africa / Kenya / Partners / Regions / Value chains
Village potato advisor sees a brighter future in potato farming
Written by Raymond Jumah and Dave Priest (FIPS-Africa) FIPS VPA Edward Kirinya harvesting the Sherekea potato variety. He planted 50 kg in July and has harvested 1,322 kg in November 2016. Photo: Raymond Jumah/FIPS-Africa A cool breeze sweeps across Kioru village in Abothuguchi West ward, bringing freshness to the otherwise misty agricultural highlands of Meru … Continue reading
AVCD Kenya 