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
Category Archives: AVCD
From grass to glass, knowledge to upgrade: How village-based dairy advisors are transforming smallholder systems in Kenya
Just through feeding her cow on Brachiaria grass and proper maintenance, a smallholder farmer in western Kenya has improved her milk yield more than two-fold. Continue reading
Rent a womb, the power to sharing animal resources to build the livelihoods of a community
In April 2017, Selvin Odhiambo received a healthy crossbred calf from her neighbour’s cow after a successful pregnancy from Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI). A United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded subsidized breeding program is helping smallholder farmers in western Kenya improve their dairy production. Continue reading
Village-based dairy advisor Priscilla Ouma launches a ‘restore milk campaign’
Priscilla Ouma is an inspiration and proof that when you give women farmers a few tools, the entire community benefits. Through her hard work, the wind of change is blowing across the village and soon farmers in Muyeye B will be milk rich. Continue reading
The power of semen: better semen, better calves, better lives – Quinter and Charles Migot’s story
Facilitating access to improved semen services for small-scale farmers in Homa Bay County For Quinter Awour the birth of a new calf is the beginning of her investment future. Quinter is a member of Tang Ber Women Group, based in Kotieno sub location, Homa bay County, for the last 7 years she has participated in … Continue reading
Promoting dietary diversity in Kenya through cooking and nutrition extension
Through door-to-door sensitization of communities, 40,000 households have been reached with messages promoting consumption of diverse and nutritious food for improved health and nutrition. Continue reading
Highlights of US Ambassador Robert Godec’s visit to AVCD sites in Turkana County
Below are the highlights of the official launch of the Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) program, together with 2 other USAID investments in Turkana County at Moruase Irrigation Scheme. Continue reading
Helping Kenyan farmers adapt to climate change (video)
In spite of the below-average rainfall received during both long and short seasons in 2016, production of drought tolerant crops in Makueni, Tharaka Nithi and Kitui counties in Kenya has been remarkable. F Continue reading
3 Tier Network managing livestock disease collectively, for better lives though livestock
Through the 3-tier model, a network of trained community diseases reporters accessible at the village level has been created. Trained to be the first responders to animal health issues, they serve as an immediate resource for herders and are in position to respond to reports in multiple villages. Continue reading
Rekindling dreams: one clean potato seed at a time.
This March in Nkuene Ward, Meru County, potatoes were in flower, farmers were busy in their potato farms attending to their precious cash crop. Decentralized seed multipliers also known as Village Potato Advisors (VPAs) are busy too, doing a routine follow-up on farmers’ plots advising them on crop management of at this critical stage. Continue reading