Taita Taveta farmers make a fortune from drought-tolerant crops
AVCD / Countries / Crops / Food Systems / ICRISAT / Kenya / Value chains

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

Nandi Potato Cooperative driving potato to an enterprising commercial crop in Nandi County
AVCD / CIP / Countries / Crops / Food Systems / Kenya / Partners / Value chains

Nandi Potato Cooperative driving potato to an enterprising commercial crop in Nandi County

Around 2015, Nandi County with its vast agricultural land and potential had only about 70 farmers growing potatoes on about 70 hectares (ha), according to Silas Too, potato value chain coordinator, Nandi County Government. This was mainly due to the fact that traditionally, potato was not a staple food but a snack among communities, and … Continue reading

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

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

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

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

AVCD / Crops / ICRISAT / Kenya / Value chains

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 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

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

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

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