CARP+ SPVC project is funded by MasterCard Foundation through the Regional Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). The project aim is “Enhancing access to high quality seed potato for improved productivity and incomes of smallholder farmers in Nakuru County.
Water harvesting and storage for use in irrigation provides great opportunities for growth and development in the agriculture sector of Kenya.
The CaWSA- Centre showcases various water conservation, storage, abstraction and distribution systems and soil and moisture conservation technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPS). The Centre is used for farmer and student training and community action research.
COMMUNITY ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT
Egerton University and its collaborators are implementing an innovative agriculture development project titled “Enhancing production and access of high quality seed potatoes for improved income and livelihoods for smallholder farmers’ in Nakuru County, Kenya”. The project seeks to strengthen the capacity of approximately 6000 smallholder farmers in Nakuru County, through the facilitation of a seed potato value chain (SPVC) platform.
To transform the seed potato value chain in Nakuru county into a vibrant
commercialized sub-sector for improved income and livelihoods of
smallholder farmers.
1.1. To enhance research capacity in the seed potato value chain at faculty, PhD and MSc levels at Egerton University through collaborative action research.
1.2. To enhance research and agri-business skills of graduate and undergraduate students at Egerton University and Baraka Agricultural College through joint-experiential learning by engaging smallholder potato farmers and other relevant value chain actors.
2.1. To build capacity in seed potato multiplication, access and use by smallholder farmers in Nakuru county, Egerton and Baraka Agricultural College.
2.2. To enhance the production and availability of quality seed potato through good agricultural practices and postharvest management.
2.3. To increase income of small holder seed potato farmers in Nakuru county through enterprise skills development, market linkages and contract farming.
3.1. To develop a multi-stakeholder owned Nakuru Seed Potato Strategy (NSPS).
3.2. To promote a multi stakeholder approach to lobby and advocate for evidence based inclusive policies in the seed potato value chain in Nakuru County.
3.3. To strengthen existing seed potato value chain platforms to improve performance of the seed potato value chain in Nakuru County and national level.
8000
Farmers reached
2000
students
50
stakeholders
6
Counties
MASTERS IN COMMUNITY STUDIES AND EXTENSION
Born in 1991, Lucky Nyasulu comes from Khwawa Village, Karonga district in Malawi. She is a second born in a family of 2 boys and 4 girls.Her father is a civil servant working with Ministry of Agriculture as a Field ..Read More.
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN COMMUNITY STUDIES AND EXTENSION
Lamech Amwine is a Ugandan national, born in 1988 in Katikamwe village, Kyabugimbi Sub County, Bushenyi district in western Uganda.Born from a poor background Lamech,.Read More.
MASTERS OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN COMMUNITY STUDIES AND EXTENSION
Judith Cheruiyot is a Kenyan by nationality, from Uasin-gishu County, Sergoit location. She was born in 1991 and a third born in a family of, 2 girls and 2 boys. Read More..
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRI-ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Mr. John Atsu Agbolosoo was born on 26th July, 1990 to Mr. Livingstone Agbolosoo and Miss. Agnes Agbenuawor all of blessed memory at Vui-Keta in Volta Region of Ghana.Read More..
DEPARTMENT OF CROP HORTICULTURE AND SOILS EGERTON UNIVERSITY
Antony M. Kibe is an Associate Professor of Agronomy, in the Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department of Egerton University (CHS), Egerton University, Kenya and formers Senate Representative (Associate Dean) of the Faculty of Agriculture from Nov 2010 to 2014. Read More..
SENIOR LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, EGERTON UNIVERSITY
She holds a PhD and MSc in Entrepreneurship from Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, Kenya and BSc. in Agriculture and Home Economics from Egerton University, Kenya.
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RESEARCH ASSISTANT.
John Nganga is a PhD Agronomy Student at Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya. He is working on Potato Cyst Nematode Management and the mechanisms involved in yield loss under PCN infestation. His interests include modelling pathogen population dynamics,
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The frequency and severity of climate shocks such as drought, floods, heat and cold stress have increased with negative impacts on agriculture and food security (https://ccafs.cgiar.org/regions/east-africa accessed 7th April 2019). Agricultural systems in East Africa are mainly rain-fed and highly vulnerable to climate change and variability. In Africa, climate change causes yields to decline as a result of water and heat stress. Yields will decrease even further where there is no possibility of supplemental irrigation, to the extent that growing crops becomes impossible.
The challenges faced in agricultural production, that are caused by climate variability and change are complex and cannot be tackled by one or a few organizations working in isolation. Hence, in January 2017, the Nakuru Irrigation Acceleration Platform (IAP) - a multi stakeholder platform was started with financial and technical support from SNV Kenya. The Nakuru IAP is coordinated by the Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department at Egerton University under the leadership of Prof. A. Kibe.
The irrigation acceleration platform (IAP) is a private sector-led initiative that brings together actors in the agri-business sector – input providers, commodity buyers/processors, academia/researchers, state agencies, development partners and donors to concertedly work within climate smart crop and water nexus. It promotes conservation and efficient use of water for agriculture through construction of water pans, use of solar pumps, innovative spray systems and on-farm moisture conservation methods. The platform supported farmers in 11 irrigation clusters to set up six (6) Smart Water Solution demo centers and lobby for more investments in the irrigated value chain.
In August 2017, Egerton University was awarded a competitive grant on Seed Potato Community Action Research Program Plus (CARP+) by RUFORUM with financial support from MasterCard Foundation. This multi-stakeholder program is implemented in partnership with Nakuru County Government (MoALF), ADC – Molo, Baraka Agricultural College, Nakuru Smallholder Farmers Association (NASFA) and National Potato Council (NCPK). The partners developed the Nakuru Potato Strategy, established demo sites, trained farmers on seed production, contributed to the new potato regulations, establishment of the Nakuru potato cooperative union (representing over 6,000 farmers) and improved market linkages.
The CaWSA- Centre showcases various water conservation, storage, abstraction and distribution systems and soil and moisture conservation technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPS).
Prof. Anthony M. Kibe,
CaWSA – Centre Coordinator
Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton
University, Njoro, Kenya.
Email: akibe@egerton.ac.ke,
+254721402957