Maize Value chain institution strengthened in Laikipia County

By Bob Aston

The Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP) held a Maize Value Chain Platform meeting on July 15, 2015 at Olympia Hotel in Nyahururu, Laikipia West Sub County. The platform meeting provided maize producers, processors, financiers, input suppliers and extension service providers in Laikipia County with an opportunity to not only strengthen the platform but also to reconstitute the Maize Value Chain Core Group (VCCG).

In attendance included; Laikipia County Director of Agriculture, Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP), Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, Equity Bank, SNV-Netherlands Development Organization, National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), cooperative department and Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN).

Some of the participants posing for a photo

Others included: Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC), Kenya Farmers Association (KFA), Meteorological Department, Laikipia County Natural Resource Network (LAICONAR), Laikipia Maize Value Chain Development Network, ACT, Ng’arua Millers, and producer representatives.

Speaking while opening the meeting, Mrs. Elizabeth Mwangi, Laikipia County Director of Agriculture (CDA) said that farmers need to diversify and also embrace appropriate technology in order to produce more food.

She said that the County Government is currently partnering with various organizations in the agriculture sector in order to improve food production. She noted that the entrance of Micro Enterprise Support Program Trust (MESPT) in the County will help to increase the production of Macadamia particularly in Laikipia East.

“Farmers are experiencing a lot of challenges due to climate change. The County Government is working towards ensuring that farmers adopt climate Smart Agriculture by embracing Conservation Agriculture. We are going to partner with FAO to upscale conservation agriculture,” said Mrs. Mwangi.

The maize value chain actors were able to learn about the progress made in the implementation of the first maize concept in Laikipia County which dealt with post-harvest management.

One of the participants sharing his ideas

The concept note aimed to ensure that post-harvest losses in the County is reduced from an average of 30 percent and above to below 15 percent by the end of this year.

“We managed to realize more than 97 percent success rate in the implementation of the first maize concept. Our aim is to enhance viable and equitable commercialization of the maize value chain,” said James Kariithi, ASDSP, Laikipia County Coordinator.

Implementation of the second maize concept titled:” Increasing Maize Production, Strengthening Maize Value Chain institutions to do grain business,” is due to start during this financial year.

The objectives of the second phase concept include: To increase adoption of climate smart production technologies by value chain actors, including vulnerable groups; increase equitable access to market; improve adoption of on-farm and community grain storage technologies; and to strengthen capacity of value chain institutions.

During the reconstitution of the VCCG, Francis Kanja, Chairman Laikipia Maize Value Chain Development Network was elected to chair the VCCG while Zachary Ndirangu, Agribusiness officer, Equity Bank Nyahururu was elected the Secretary.

The VCCG is responsible for planning, co-ordination, implementation and monitoring all activities in the maize value chain on behalf of the value chain platform which brings together various actors in the maize value chain in Laikipia County.

Empowering smallholder farmers with agricultural data

By Bob Aston

Data is increasingly becoming an invaluable resource for smallholder farmers. Most smallholder farmers have started relying on tools that can be used to determine, estimate or predict production as a way of improving their farming enterprises. Data has essentially become a capital for sustainable development.

In Meru County, an initiative aimed at ensuring effective management of resources through automated record keeping is bearing fruit. Most farmers are now using record keeping data to plan their farm enterprises and as a result are able to improve their incomes, livelihoods and ensuring food security.

The Farm Record Management Information System (FARMIS) has been built to provide a secure environment to record, store, analyze and generate reports on the farmers’ businesses. It was developed with an aim of reaching out to multiple farmers interested in commercializing farming businesses.

Members of Kaubau Vision CBO reading about how FARMIS works

The FARMIS innovation is being implemented by Sokopepe, a social enterprise that has been set up by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), an NGO that works with farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The piloting of the FARMIS innovation is being done in five selected sub-counties in Meru namely: Imenti Central; North Imenti; South Imenti; Buuri and Tigania West.

Following a systematic analysis of the data on farmer profiles, agriculture stakeholders such as the County and central government; agro-input providers; providers of agriculture credit and development partners can get an accurate perspective of the status of agriculture in the sub-counties targeted at any given time.

Benefits of joining FARMIS

Information provided by FARMIS include: market information like commodity prices for both retail and wholesale; Five years weather forecast; credit services and loans financial tips; farming tips; and trade offers.

FARMIS gives farmers holistic year-round monitoring, data collection, entry, storage and mid-season analysis to enable appropriate farm planning and sustainable market linkages.

It can be used in monitoring outcomes from agriculture and as an impact indicator on national and regional development frameworks.

Joyce Muhindi from South Imenti narrated how she used to plant without keeping any record. At the end of each season she would harvest and sell her produce without knowing whether she had made a profit or loss.

“I never had any documentation about how my farm was performing. Each season I would just buy farm inputs and cater for other farm expenses but I never knew how much I used to spend on farm expenses,” said Joyce.

Last year when FARMIS was launched in Meru she was visited by a Production Information Agent (PIA) who encouraged her to join FARMIS. After a thirty minutes training on importance of farm records and the many benefits she would enjoy she decided to join FARMIS.

Since then she has now realized what she used to miss out on. She is now able to keep up to date farm records. She said through FARMIS she is now able to capture her farm’s profile and record her Irish potatoes, bananas and maize enterprises.

“I wish FARMIS would have been introduced a bit earlier. I have now embraced agri-business. Each season I can now capture cost of tilling, inputs, labour, harvesting and post-harvest operations,” said an excited Joyce.

On her part, Lucy Gatobu from Kainginyo, North Imenti, noted that the trainings that she has been receiving from PIAs has really helped her as she is now better informed on record keeping.

“Every week a PIA officer usually comes to my farm to check how my farm is and to assist me in filling the farm book. I am now able to fill the farm book and give it to the PIA to digitize it without any problem. I am also able to tell which crop is doing well,” said Lucy.

How FARMIS data is obtained

Data collection for FARMIS is done by paper forms, mobile phones, online tablets and computers.  After training, farmers are given a Farm Book for record keeping and tracking of farm activities.

Information contained in the Farm Book include: crop definition; season; crop financing; farm expenses per crop; tillage details; planting details; weeding details per crop; treatment and pesticides; irrigation/ watering; harvesting for crops; post-harvest activities and cost for crop; summary table for the cost of production; and sales record tracking.

Farmers registering for FARMIS

The information is later transcribed into digital format by PIAs on a centralized online server and platform for analysis and storage on a virtual farmer’s account.

Once the data has been entered into the system it gives options for immediate report generation from the platform on crop profiling reports, profit and loss, farmer acreage and land usage.

Following the analysis, the information is normally packaged in annual Agricultural Production Report (APR) that is made available electronically on the website for Sokopepe, FARMIS, public workshops and direct copy distributions.

Data is analysis both by the automatic system flow charts and reports generated by the system for interpretation.  Majority of the back-end data is mined from the system and analyzed using Excel and other statistical packages for detailed reports.

In the present day, farm management is becoming more and more business oriented. Keeping up to date farm records is an important aspect of practicing agribusiness. FARMIS has made this possible for more than 6,000 farmers. The farmers are now able to know which of their business line is breaking even and which ones are eating into their profit margins.

Women group empowered on production of fireless cookers

By Julyann Mutuku

Kayanet women group from Kitengela Ward in Kajiado County is reaping the benefits of a capacity building training on making fireless cookers. The group of eleven members, 8 women and 3 men were trained by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries under the Home Economics department which works closely with Energia Kenya Network in Kajiado County.

The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is the focal point for Energia Kenya Network activities in Kajiado County through support from Practical Action.

Most of the women had been introduced to fireless cookers and are even using them in their households but now want to be actively involved in its production in order to improve their livelihood. They are enthusiastic about the benefits of the fireless cooker and are seeing a bright future ahead.

Heard of a fireless cooker?

A fireless cooker is a simple basket which uses the vacuum flask technique to cook food. The inside part is insulated with heat retaining materials which are easily available such old clothes or banana leaves.

A Home Economics expert holding the fireless cooker

The food is first placed on a convectional source of heat such as wood fuel till boiling point then put in the fireless cooker for continued cooking for a given period of time which varies with the type of food. The basket keeps the food warm for a longer time saving on fuel that could have been used to re-warm the food.

Monicah Musila a member of Kayanet Women group noted that some of the women have been making a profit of Kshs 1000 per basket by selling the fireless cookers to their neighbours. With training on market awareness creation and best business practice skills she hopes to be able to make ten or more baskets per month.

Similarly, Linah Maiyo, Secretary Kayanet Women group said that the fireless cookers have been beneficial to her household as she has been able to save wood fuel and charcoal.

It has also made her work easier as she does not have to worry about fire accidents when her children are alone at home. Her husband is also a beneficiary for ‘when he comes home late at night, he gets the food warm and ready to eat’ remarked Linah.

“It would be my joy if Energia Kenya helped us in reaching more households in the ward to enjoy the use of fireless cookers as we do,” said Maiyo.

Fireless cooker making is mostly done by women who can testify to the many benefits, it is however not common in Kajiado county.

Group challenges

The women group is facing a major challenge in marketing since most people in the area hardly know about fireless cookers. In order to address this, Energia Kenya is organizing a Participatory Market System Development (PMSD) training for the group and other energy entrepreneurs in Kajiado County.

Scarcity of production materials like baskets has been a hindrance to the group. Most of the time they have to travel to Ruiru or Thika to purchase materials. The added transport costs at times makes it hard for the members to realize good returns.

Energia aims to address energy, poverty and gender issues in Kenya, while providing strong linkages with relevant institutions and organisations and generating and sharing knowledge and information on gender based issues.

Supporting ICTs for extension and advisory services

By Bob Aston

The rapid growth and increased access to modern information and communication technologies (ICT) can contribute to improved delivery and effectiveness of extension and advisory services, especially among rural smallholder farmers.

ICT has a vital role to play in getting information to farmers and vice versa. It has great potential to transform the way extension and advisory services are delivered to farmers. It is also an entry point for non-traditional actors who see advisory services as an area of intervention and for giving greater emphasis to subjects traditionally deficient in extension services.

Extension and advisory services are relevant to agricultural and rural transformation processes. Extension officers need to continuously develop new capacities and keep abreast of emerging technologies.

Nyaga holding chick peas plant

Samuel Nyaga, a farmer based in Naibrom area of Ol-moran Ward noted that access to ICT has enabled many farmers to access information that has enabled them to adopt best agricultural practices. Nyaga has been a frequent user of Ng’arua Maarifa Centre in Sipili town, Laikipia West Sub County.

“I acquired basic computer skills at the Maarifa Centre and since then I have been frequenting the facility to access extension and advisory services. As a farmer I have been able to learn a lot through use of ICT,” said Nyaga.

Traditional media such as radio and television have played a major role in extension and advisory services dissemination. Growth in internet and increased access to and use of mobile technology has also improved farmers’ and intermediaries’ access to information relevant for smallholder farmers.

These are now used to raise awareness and to provide information in response to questions about agricultural technologies, markets, prices and knowledge management

Nyaga has been using Maarifa facilities to learn about chickpeas, Stevia, cowpeas, tasha beans, purple sweet potatoes, special green grams and dairy goats. He has also been using SOKO+ at the Maarifa Centre.

The digital commodity and information system has been providing him with commodity prices from major markets, e-extension services and a listing of various technical and logistical support providers.

Community members accessing various services at Ng'arua Maarifa Centre

“ICT has made our work as farmers to be very easy. This days I get a lot of information through the internet. I now want to start practicing Climate Smart Agriculture as I have realized that climate change is a reality and I have to adapt,” said Nyaga.

Apart from accessing extension and advisory services from the Maarifa Centre, he is also an avid fan of Shamba Shape Up program which is usually aired on Citizen TV and Seed of gold publication which is available on Saturdays through Saturday Nation Newspaper.

Extension and advisory services should take full advantage of the potential of new technologies.  ICTs should be used more innovatively to achieve the goals of extension, and efforts should be made to attract women and young people to work in extension and advisory services.

Weak linkages between researchers, extension and farmers have been a major constraint in the application and uptake of new ICT innovations.  The capacity of farmers and extension officers need to be built in order to achieve the desired agricultural transformation that can help improve the livelihood of rural smallholder farmers.

Cooperators re-energize themselves as they celebrate Ushirika Day

By Bob Aston

The Laikipia County cooperators and the county government joined the rest of the world in marking the international co-operative day, better known in Kenya as Ushirika Day at Ng’arua Dairy cooperative Society in Kinamba, Laikipia West Sub County on July 4, 2015. This year’s theme was “choose cooperative, choose equality.”

The event which was graced by Laikipia County governor Hon Joshua Irungu saw cooperators from Laikipia County look back and take stock of the achievements that they had made as well as re-energize themselves to grow cooperative entreprises into strong organisations from which they can all derive sustainable incomes.

On December 16, 1992, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed in resolution 47/90 the first Saturday of July 1995 to be International Day of Cooperatives. Since 1995 the United Nations' International Day of Co-operatives has been observed jointly alongside International Co-operative Day on the first Saturday of July every year.

Speaking during the event, Laikipia County Governor Hon Joshua Irungu said that he is committed to giving complete support to the cooperative societies in the county. He noted that the launch of Kinamba milk cooler will help farmers in the region to store milk before it is delivered to factories. This he said will help to reduce wastage that occur during transportation.

He said that the Country government will disburse Kshs 8 million to cooperatives in this financial year while promising that the funds will be increased in the next financial year. He promised active cooperatives that the County government will issue them with maize dryer so that they can be able to reduce post harvest maize losses.

The governor at one of the exhibition stand during the event

At independence, Kenya had 1,030 registered co-operative societies with a total share capital of Ksh.100,000. To date, the number has grown to over 16,000 registered cooperative societies with a membership of over 13 million and a turn-over of over Kshs.100 billion.

Currently, cooperatives employ over 500,000 people directly with 63 percent of the Kenyan population deriving their livelihood directly from cooperative-based economic activities. According to the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), Kenya's cooperative movement is the fastest growing in the world and is ranked the best in Africa and the 7th best in the World.

The Speaker of the County Assembly of Laikipia, Hon Patrick Mariru said that the County government has recognized the transformational space and place of cooperatives and has thus enacted Laikipia Cooperatives Societies Act 2015.

“This law when fully applied will transform the cooperative landscape in our county. It also establishes an innovative fund. I am convinced the cooperative is the way to go for Laikipia people, “said Hon. Mariru.

In Laikipia County, there are 118 active cooperatives with over 29,165 members and Kshs 1.65 billion as share capital.  Cooperatives in the county have also given out loans worth Kshs 2.15 billion and have a total asset of Kshs. 2.5 billion.

Waweru Kanja, Chairman Laikipia Produce and Marketing Cooperative Society noted that the plans that the Laikipia County Government have for the cooperative movement are noble and would help built the capacities of cooperatives if well implemented.

He said that the recently enacted Laikipia Cooperative Societies Act 2015 has addressed major issues that affect operations of the cooperative movement.

Due to its nature of mobilizing communities into economic activities, the cooperative movement has been proven to play an active role in poverty alleviation, employment creation, food security and equitable distribution of natural resources.

Organic farming promoting drought resistant crops in Laikipia County

Interview by Milcah Rajula

Organic farming is a system of production that relies purely on natural inputs for agricultural and livestock production. According to a consumer survey conducted by Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) for the Enhancing the Coordination of Organic Products Access to Markets in East Africa (ECOMEA) project – a Danida-funded project-a good percentage of the consumers are willing and ready to pay premium prices for organic products.

KOAN’s Teresa Ndirangu and Richard Mwangi share their experience implementing the organic approach in Laikipia County where scarce water resources demands good sustainable land management practices.

Teresa: Most KOAN projects mainly focus on organic farming but also promotion and upgrading of water resources and sustainable land management through: introduction of drought resistant crops like tea tree; usage of drip irrigation; and growing of cape chestnut, borage and Night Primrose which are rich in essential oils.

Richard: Livestock keeping, which we encourage, ensures production of manure for use on the farm. Making compost manure is also encouraged as a way of fertilizing the soil besides ensuring moisture is retained during the dry spells.

Other farm practices such as terracing, mulching, inter-cropping are also encouraged to conserve water. Farmers are encouraged to dig water pans to tap on the flood water during the rainy seasons which can be used for irrigation and consumption by livestock during the dry season.

How many groups do you engage with the County?

Teresa: KOAN and Earth Oil work with small scale farmers who are grouped in zones namely: Huku, Mwireri, Barguret, Sweet Water, and Timau among others. These zones, which include community members, are each represented by elected officials who represent them in meetings especially under the umbrella body of Kenya Organic Oil Farmers Association (KOOFA).

Tea tree farm

KOOFA and Earth Oil work hand in hand with the latter company providing extension workers who perform structured training: improving farmers’ skills, demonstrating the importance of buffer zones in organic farms and other farming methods. Overall, KOAN works with both parties in providing technical know-how on best practices in organic farming.

Which eco-friendly fertilizers would you advise during farming?

Teresa: Rock phosphate fertilizer is the most recommended as the advantages are: harmless to the soil, cheap and has other nutritional minerals which build the soil.

What are some of the challenges you have faced in implementing your projects?

Teresa: Some farmers do not appreciate the value of practicing conservation. They prefer planting exotic trees such as Eucalyptus instead of indigenous trees. However, we are persistent in passing the message that more indigenous trees need to be planted since they improve soil fertility.

Another challenge is gender imbalance. Some women are reluctant to engage in the projects because they are raised up to believe that the projects and the returns belong to their husbands. In turn, we are training KOOFA and Earth Oil Ltd extension workers on sensitizing the farmers on gender integration to ensure men and women have equal shares in the projects.

Richard: Low quality seeds pose another challenge. To address it, seed companies with support of the county government, should provide certified seeds so that farmers can purchase them as needed.

What recommendations would you give to the County to address the issue of water resources and sustainable land management?

Teresa: The County government needs to employ strategies conservation of water. In most instances, incentives should be awarded to farmers who are using local resources: usage of organic fertilizer and drought resistant crops in their farms, for their efforts in promoting conservation.

Richard: Construction of water pans, ponds, dams, venturing into shallow wells and conservation of river banks needs to be implemented to promote water harvesting in the County.

Additionally, farmers should be encouraged to have a minimum area on their farms under tree cover and also to practice agro forestry. More emphasis should be given to planting of indigenous trees because of the vital role they play towards conserving the ecosystem.

For more information, contact: Teresa Ndirangu, Production and Training Adviser, teresan@koan.co.ke and Richard Mwangi, Marketing Officer, richardn@koan.co.ke

Source: Laikipia Mali Asili. Download a copy of the newsletter here

Our environment

Mary Wanjiru and Mercy Wambui

What is environment?

Environment is our surroundings,

Major components of our environment are: air, soil, plants and water,

Let us conserve our environment!

If we cut down trees,

Trees are sources of rivers and control soil erosion,

Where shall we get rain?

Let us conserve our environment!

Our water in dams and rivers are to be conserved,

We use them in many ways,

Drinking, cooking, and washing our clothes and many other things

Let us conserve our environment!

Herbicides are not to be sprayed near sources of water,

They contaminate our rivers,

Let us conserve our environment!

Throwing of waste materials around brings about pollution,

Disposing of garbage by burying is good,

The environment is polluted by air, water and harmful chemicals

Let us conserve our environment!

Source: Laikipia Mali Asili. You can download a copy of the newsletter here

Mary Wanjiru and Mercy Wambui are Class 8 West pupils from Ol-Jabet Primary School in Laikipia West.

SOKO+ empowers smallholder farmers with market information

By Bob Aston

A major problem for smallholder farmers is the lack of access to timely and accurate market information. Their only source of information about the market rate for crops comes from the very people who are trying to buy them. The lack of pricing transparency means that most farmers do not always get the best deal.

Improving market access for smallholders often leads to increased income and food security leading to poverty alleviation.  In some parts of Laikipia County particularly Sipili area of Ol-Moran Ward, some farmers have started realizing the power of improved market access.

The farmers are utilizing SOKO+ innovation being implemented by Sokopepe, a new company being incubated by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN).

SOKO+ is a digital commodity trading and information system, linking small scale farmers to end retailers/bulk purchasers of produce. It provides commodity prices from major markets around the areas of operation and beyond, e-extension services and a listing of various technical and logistical support providers.

Mrs. Kemunto training a farmer on use of the service

SOKO+ has harnessed the power of information and communication technologies by enabling farmers to efficiently reach and exploit a fair market for their produce. 

Most transactions can be completed on a basic mobile telephone handset, making it accessible to farmers in remote locations, many of whom do not own internet-linked mobile phones.

Mrs. Veronica Kemunto, Secretary, Laikipia Produce and Marketing Co-operative Society noted that most farmers of the cooperative have been using the platform to query for market prices particularly cereals. She has been using the service since august 2013.

“SOKO+ has really enlightened me. This days I can query for market prices in major towns through sms. I am now enlightened as I know where to take my produce once I have harvested. The service has connected producers directly with buyers,” said Mrs. Kemunto.

SOKO+ is designed to address transactions and extension needs along the entire value chain - from farm inputs to the buyer of the final products - thus enhancing the space of the farmer, by-passing the numerous brokers between the farmer and end consumer.

On his part, Mr. Peter Gicheru, Secretary Matwiku Horticulture Growers self- help group said that most farmers have been able to take advantage of the widespread use of mobile phones to access market information through short messaging system (sms).

Mr. Gicheru through his group have been using SOKO+ to query for market prices and once they have found a good market they usually aggregate their produce and send to the market.

ALIN champion farmers during launch of the service

“We have been able to find suitable markets for our cereals and horticulture through the service. We usually compare prices in major towns before deciding on the best market for our produce. SOKO+ has really benefited us, we can no longer accept to be exploited by brokers,” said Mr. Gicheru.

The net effect of use of the service is that farmers can reduce their transaction costs, and through commodity aggregation they can have more power for negotiation for better prices, bulk discounting of inputs and further reach into desirable markets.

The system allows farmers to receive text messages of the prevailing market prices for various products in towns like Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa and Malindi. One can also query for farming tips on various products like dairy farming, poultry, fish farming, cereals, horticulture, goat farming, apiculture and roots and tubers.

Through SOKO+ a farmer can access market prices for cereals, legumes, roots and tubers as well as horticulture. The platforms directory listing has traders, veterinary officers, extension officers, research and quality control, transporters, financial service providers and feed manufacturers.

To register to SOKO+; Send SMS: REG#IDNumber#FirstName#LastName#County, to 20245 (Wait for confirmation message to activate your account): to receive market prices; Send SMS: Price#Commodity#Town, to 20245; and to get farming tips, Send SMS: Tip#ProductName to 20245.