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

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

Fighting hunger and poverty through  climate smart crops
AVCD / Crops / ICRISAT / Kenya / Value chains

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

Creating access rekindles dreams of a brighter future:  Clean seed potato improves productivity
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

Livestock traders gain at USAID- and ILRI-supported forum
AVCD / East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Livestock / Pastoralism / Value chains

Livestock traders gain at USAID- and ILRI-supported forum

Enthusiastic traders from several counties in northern Kenya and from across the border in Ethiopia joined a livestock trade facilitation forum in Marsabit, Kenya on 9 May 2018. By close of business, participating livestock buyers and sellers signed contracts for a total of 5,373 livestock at a value of USD 406,774. The United States Agency … Continue reading

Accelerating potato and sweetpotato value chains with innovations in Kenya
AVCD / CIP / Crops / Kenya / Partners / Value chains

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

Kenyan President Kenyatta headlines national conference at ILRI Nairobi on innovations in Kenya’s agricultural sector
AVCD / ILRI / Kenya / Value chains

Kenyan President Kenyatta headlines national conference at ILRI Nairobi on innovations in Kenya’s agricultural sector

Originally posted on ILRI news:
Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses the 400 guests at the national conference of the Feed the Future Accelerated Value Chain Development program at ILRI on 27 Apr 2018. US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec and ILRI Director General Jimmy Smith look on (photo credit: ILRI/Paul Karaimu). Speaking at the plenary…