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
Tag Archives: ICRISAT
New drought-tolerant varieties rekindle hopes of food security in drought-prone Makueni County
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
Taita Taveta farmers make a fortune from drought-tolerant crops
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
Using the SourceTrace digital platform to support farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic
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
Fighting food and nutrition insecurity through climate smart crops
Kenya is one of several East African countries where food shortages continue to persist, because of the devastating drought conditions. Statistics from the Kenya Red Cross indicate that almost three million people in Kenya are affected by drought. However, the situation is improving in Busia county, one of the counties in Kenya where ICRISAT has been … Continue reading
Smart Food Nutrition Activities Kicks Off in Kenya
To improve the nutritional status of women in the reproductive age and children below five years, an awareness drive under the Smart Food campaign has been launched in selected counties in Kenya. The aim is to promote increased consumption of nutrient dense, drought tolerant crops (sorghum, millets, pigeonpea, groundnut, cowpea and green gram) and appropriate … Continue reading