Category Archives: Livelihoods

How DFAs are rejuvenating the dairy industry in Homa Bay and Siaya counties
Animal breeding / Animal diseases / Animal feeding / Animal Production / AVCD / Cattle / Countries / Dairying / ECF / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Partners / Species / Value chains

How DFAs are rejuvenating the dairy industry in Homa Bay and Siaya counties

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Before 2019, Kasbondo Dairy Cooperative, in Oyugis, Homa Bay County used to receive 300-350 litres of milk per day from less than 25 farmers with only three of them able supply 60 litres per day. Across the region in Siaya County, SAM Malanga Dairy Cooperative was equally struggling, only able to receive about 280 litres … Continue reading →

AVCD / Countries / Crops / Food Systems / ICRISAT / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Value chains

New drought-tolerant varieties rekindle hopes of food security in drought-prone Makueni County

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Hoping against hope of decent harvests, farmers in the semi-arid and arid regions of eastern Kenya have always planted their traditional and favourite food crops – pigeonpea, green gram, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, cowpea, and maize – at the onset of long or short rains. But it is a ritual that has been driven … Continue reading →

Animal diseases / AVCD / East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Livestock / Pastoralism / Value chains

Syndromic e-surveillance: averting livestock disease outbreaks, improving livelihoods

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In early 2019, pastoralists in Turkana County lost 675 camels (Camelus dromedarius) with more than 750,000 at risk due to a severe outbreak of the contagious haemorrhagic septicaemia disease. It was not only a costly economic loss, estimated at 33.7 million Kenya shillings (USD337,000) but also a painful loss of livestock the pastoralists have so … Continue reading →

Using the SourceTrace digital platform to support farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic
AVCD / Countries / COVID19 / Crops / Food Systems / ICRISAT / Kenya / Livelihoods / Value chains

Using the SourceTrace digital platform to support farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Despite minimal field visits during this period of the COVID-19-related restrictions, the AVCD program staff and management are working with extension officers and lead farmers to monitor the progress of the drought-tolerant crops component’s work. Continue reading →

Using virtual communication tools to support northern Kenya partners during the COVID-19 pandemic
Advocacy / Animal diseases / AVCD / COVID19 / East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Livestock / LIVESTOCKCRP / Value chains

Using virtual communication tools to support northern Kenya partners during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Over the last three months (April–June), the livestock value chain (LVC) team of AVCD program has worked tirelessly to maintain close and consistent communications with the county-based field office staff and the respective county government officials in Turkana, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit. Continue reading →

Diversification of diets: a community-led solution that improves nutritional outcomes in Kenya’s pastoral communities
AVCD / Crops / Diet / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Pastoralism / Value chains

Diversification of diets: a community-led solution that improves nutritional outcomes in Kenya’s pastoral communities

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In northern Kenya, thousands of people suffer from acute malnutrition. This dryland region experiences low rainfall, high temperatures and has poor soils, which lead to poor harvests and inadequate pastures for livestock. The region hence suffers significant food insecurity which results in high levels of malnutrition, particularly among women and children. Limited knowledge of appropriate … Continue reading →

Promoting better agricultural practices of drought-tolerant crops in farming communities
AVCD / Crops / East Africa / ICRISAT / Kenya / Livelihoods / Value chains

Promoting better agricultural practices of drought-tolerant crops in farming communities

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Despite their value, drought-tolerant crops, particularly millets and sorghum, have been steadily losing their share of contribution to calories in Kenya to maize, rice and wheat. The reasons for the low demand of these cereals are low productivity, poor image and lack of product development. Continue reading →

Multisectoral partners come together to deliberate on how to accelerate efforts to reduce malnutrition across Kenya
AVCD / CIP / East Africa / ICRISAT / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Partners / Value chains

Multisectoral partners come together to deliberate on how to accelerate efforts to reduce malnutrition across Kenya

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Kenya still has a long way to go in improving the nutritional status of both the rural and urban populations. Collectively we can support the education and application of nutrition sensitization for better lives through better health and better food systems. Continue reading →

Can the private sector deliver livestock vaccines in Kenya? Yes, they can
Animal diseases / AVCD / Goats / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Livestock / Pastoralism / Small ruminants / Value chains

Can the private sector deliver livestock vaccines in Kenya? Yes, they can

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At a meeting held on 18 July 2019 in Isiolo, Kenya, livestock sector stakeholders committed to implement eight resolutions that offer solutions that will guide future practice and encourage private sector investment in animal health service delivery: Continue reading →