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
Category Archives: Crops
Better incomes and health through orange-fleshed sweetpotato in Kenya
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
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
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
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
Fighting hunger and poverty through climate smart crops
Ms. Rachel Amoit in her groundnuts farm in Busia Kenya is one of several East African countries suffering from food shortages because of devastating drought conditions. According to Red Cross, almost 3 million people are affected by drought. But in Busia county there is hope growing among farmers and a real potential solution to the … 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
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
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