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
Since its formation in 2008, members of Kuzoya Self Help Group in Chawia Ward, Taita Taveta County had never considered growing potatoes, even though it was grown in some neighboring wards. For some, they did not want to be involved in a crop that they had little knowledge about its production and marketing. For others, … Continue reading
Though groundnuts are a highly popular and nutritious snack in Taita Taveta County, the residents had always depended on imports from the neighboring Tanzania. Farmers had failed to take advantage of its popularity and high demand as they believed the prevailing prolonged drought conditions in the region were too harsh for the crop to thrive. … Continue reading
When the County Government of Taita Taveta identified potato as one of the high value crops for promotion in 2017, farmers’ access to affordable certified seed became a critical priority, and for good reasons. They did not have it and had to have it. For it is widely acknowledged that improved seed is the essential … Continue reading
Started in 2015, AVCD is a five-year program that was implemented in two phases of three years and two years. During the first three years the program achieved and in some instances, overachieved targets for planned activities. For instance, 318,362 households benefitted from the program, over and above the target of 256,937 households. These households … Continue reading
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
The potato component uses a learning farm approach concept, which provides rural farmers with hands-on experience in potato production technologies by practising together with the trainers through a learning-by-doing approach. Continue reading
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
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
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
