Fighting food and nutrition insecurity through climate smart crops
AVCD / East Africa / ICRISAT / Kenya / Value chains

Fighting food and nutrition insecurity through climate smart crops

Kenya is one of several East African countries where food shortages continue to persist, because of the devastating drought conditions. Statistics from the Kenya Red Cross indicate that almost three million people in Kenya are affected by drought. However, the situation is improving in Busia county, one of the counties in Kenya where ICRISAT has been … Continue reading

The business in seed potato: New technology spurs hope for better incomes
AVCD / CIP / Crops / Kenya

The business in seed potato: New technology spurs hope for better incomes

The Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) program implemented by a consortium of CGIAR centers, sought to harness the technologies and innovations within the research system ‘to sustainably reduce poverty and hunger in Kenya with the objective of increasing inclusive agricultural growth and improving nutritional status of communities. In phase 1, the … Continue reading

Animal breeding / Animal Production / AVCD / Goats / Kenya / Livelihoods / Livestock / SLS / Small ruminants

Improved herd management technologies for enhancing livestock productivity: Embedding innovations through community groups

ILRI, through the USAID funded AVCD project – Livestock Component has implemented interventions to improve sheep and goat productivity in Kenya, through better herd breeding and management. The project has developed a series of manuals on ‘Best Practices for Selective Breeding for Improved Livestock Productivity.’ Continue reading

Tenfold potato harvest for youth in Meru, Kenya
CIP / Countries / Crops / East Africa / Kenya / Partners / Regions / Uncategorized / Value chains

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

Engaging county governments for better project impact and sustainability
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

Power of numbers: Collective action to accelerate marketing options for bounty green gram harvest across Kenya
Countries / Crops / East Africa / ICRISAT / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Value chains

Power of numbers: Collective action to accelerate marketing options for bounty green gram harvest across Kenya

The Feed the Future Accelerated Value Chains Development (AVCD) program is working with county governments, ministry officials, development agencies and farmers group to address the current anticipated green gram glut and to jump-start the green gram value chain across Kenya. Continue reading

AVCD / ILRI / Kenya / Livestock / LIVESTOCKCRP / SLS

Spatial planning to spur rangeland-based development across northern Kenya’s ‘frontier counties’

Originally posted on Sustainable livestock systems:
By Irene Nganga and Lance Robinson Spatial planning is often perceived as being synonymous with ‘urban planning’. However, its scope is much wider, encompassing both rural and urban land use as well as environmental planning and strategizing future development. Local experts from northern Kenya map livestock routes for input…

Supporting mothers through diversified nutrition education to promote healthy diets for their families
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