Use of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] to Combat Vitami...Premier Publishers
Deficiency of micro-nutrients such as vitamin A and minerals, affect nearly two billion people globally. Different strategies such as dietary diversification, food fortification and vitamin A supplementation have been adopted to combat vitamin A deficiency. Dietary diversification using orange fleshed sweet potato has potential to combat vitamin A deficiency due to its high beta-carotene content and provitamin A content. Additionally, this crop also has a wider adaptation to various agro ecologies in African farming systems, a making it suitable for utilization to satisfy vitamin A dietary requirement of the resource poor communities sustainably. Different food products have been developed by various researchers globally, from orange fleshed sweet potato flour blended with other crops flour such as maize and wheat at different proportion. The developed food products were found to be rich in vitamin A content and other micronutrients compared to the local staple food and further reported to meet the recommended daily allowance of different age groups upon consumption in the study areas. Therefore, concerted effort is required to popularize orange fleshed sweet potato farming and its value chain products that are economically and physically accessible to the rural and urban poor communities.
Evaluation and chemical analysis of bread produced from a combination of corn...SAMUEL MAGNUS
A dive into experimental research. This study aims to advocate for the increased utilization of the nutrient dense watermelon seeds in the production of our every day snacks.
A comparative study of food security in Africa amid growing populationHakeemSulaimon1
Using trend analysis, this study is an attempt to compare the nature of food security from 2000 to 2014 in Nigeria to selected African countries in each region
Reducing Food Loss and Waste through Innovative Food Preservation Technologie...Julius Huho
The goal of the study was to establish the innovative food processing and preservation technologies designed to reduce Food Loss and Waste that were applied by women in rural areas of Garissa and Machakos Counties in Kenya.
CIAT’s Partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (...CIAT
IFAD and CIAT have a shared vision: a world without poverty and hunger, where natural resources are used economically and sustainability for the benefit of everyone, and where enough food is produced efficiently to sustain good nutrition and food security. Our success in South-South coordination, making markets work for smallholders, transforming subsistence farming systems into ecoefficient
hubs of change, and empowering poor rural women and men through improved incomes speaks for itself.
Use of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] to Combat Vitami...Premier Publishers
Deficiency of micro-nutrients such as vitamin A and minerals, affect nearly two billion people globally. Different strategies such as dietary diversification, food fortification and vitamin A supplementation have been adopted to combat vitamin A deficiency. Dietary diversification using orange fleshed sweet potato has potential to combat vitamin A deficiency due to its high beta-carotene content and provitamin A content. Additionally, this crop also has a wider adaptation to various agro ecologies in African farming systems, a making it suitable for utilization to satisfy vitamin A dietary requirement of the resource poor communities sustainably. Different food products have been developed by various researchers globally, from orange fleshed sweet potato flour blended with other crops flour such as maize and wheat at different proportion. The developed food products were found to be rich in vitamin A content and other micronutrients compared to the local staple food and further reported to meet the recommended daily allowance of different age groups upon consumption in the study areas. Therefore, concerted effort is required to popularize orange fleshed sweet potato farming and its value chain products that are economically and physically accessible to the rural and urban poor communities.
Evaluation and chemical analysis of bread produced from a combination of corn...SAMUEL MAGNUS
A dive into experimental research. This study aims to advocate for the increased utilization of the nutrient dense watermelon seeds in the production of our every day snacks.
A comparative study of food security in Africa amid growing populationHakeemSulaimon1
Using trend analysis, this study is an attempt to compare the nature of food security from 2000 to 2014 in Nigeria to selected African countries in each region
Reducing Food Loss and Waste through Innovative Food Preservation Technologie...Julius Huho
The goal of the study was to establish the innovative food processing and preservation technologies designed to reduce Food Loss and Waste that were applied by women in rural areas of Garissa and Machakos Counties in Kenya.
CIAT’s Partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (...CIAT
IFAD and CIAT have a shared vision: a world without poverty and hunger, where natural resources are used economically and sustainability for the benefit of everyone, and where enough food is produced efficiently to sustain good nutrition and food security. Our success in South-South coordination, making markets work for smallholders, transforming subsistence farming systems into ecoefficient
hubs of change, and empowering poor rural women and men through improved incomes speaks for itself.
Research review-on-formulation-and-sensory-evaluation-of-complementary-foods-...Nezif Abamecha
Since infant food protein-energy malnutrition is a problem in Africa and other developing nations of the world. Food
and Agricultural Organization’s statistics also reveal that in Africa, more than one in four people are malnourished. Food
cereal grains are a major staple in many African homes contributing significant amounts of energy protein, but limiting in
essential amino acid of lysine. Legumes on the other hand are protein and amino acid rich foods, but also lacking in sulphurcontaining amino acids. Hence, a combination of these two grain foods would improve the protein and nutrient density of
the subsequent food products. Probably due to their high nutritional values, however, this review therefore, assesses various
works in literature on the use of these crops to produce composite food products. Complementary foods in most developing
countries are based on staple cereal or root crops. Although, commercial foods of high quality are occasionally available, they
are often expensive and therefore unaffordable by low-income rural households. Different approaches are needed to offer
families the opportunity to feed their infants on improved formulations using low cost and locally available staples, because of
Protein-energy malnutrition among children is the major health challenges and it may be related to low nutritional quality of
traditional complementary foods and high cost of quality protein based complementary foods. This review also aimed at the
formulation, preparation and evaluation of low-cots, locally available products based on cereals and pulses.
Moringa is a plantfood of high nutritional value, ecologically and economically beneficial and readily available in the countries hardest hit by the food crisis. http://miracletrees.org/ http://moringatrees.org/
Mr Nelson Godfried Aguyemang: A Comprehensive Co-operative Approach to Food S...cooperatives
Mr Nelson Godfried Aguyemang, Vice-President, Ghana Agricultural Producers and Marketing Association, Ghana at the International Co-operative Alliance Global Conference in Cape Town, November 2013.
Regina Moench-Pfanner - Diets in Transition: Urbanization & Processed Food at...HKUST IEMS
Recently, the Global Nutrition Report (2014-16) describes a new norm of malnutrition in Asian emerging markets: obesity and non-communicable diseases are on the rise, while a substantial proportion of people still suffer from undernutrition. People living in cities now outnumber those living in rural areas and research suggests a convergence in urban and rural consumer demand for packaged or processed foods within low- and middle-income Asian countries. Both how economics favors the production of cheap, energy-dense but nutrient-poor foods and their growing contributions to modern diets in low- and medium-income populations are important factors in the growing double-burden of malnutrition and disease. All sectors involved in the food and nutrition value-chain need to work together to achieve the research-driven incremental improvements and disruptive innovations that shift the factors of food production and consumption towards improved nutritional and health-related outcomes.
Food safety in informal markets in developing countries: An overviewTezira Lore
Grace, D., Roesel, K. and Lore, T. 2014. Food safety in informal markets in developing countries: An overview. ILRI Research Brief 19. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
Challenges and Solutions to Food SecuritySanjay Sethi
Presented at 3rd International Conference on Global Warming - Food Security organised by Environment Protection & Development Authority, Ras al Khaimah
Moringa is a plantfood of high nutritional value, ecologically and economically beneficial and readily available in the countries hardest hit by the food crisis. http://miracletrees.org/ http://moringatrees.org/
Analysis of Factors Influencing Participation of Farm Households in Watermelo...AJSERJournal
The study analyzed the factors influencing participation of farm households’ in watermelon production in
the study areas. Three local government areas out of Sokoto state were purposively selected. Questionnaire was used
to collect data. Multistage of sampling techniques were used to arrive at the sample size of 181 farm households’ for
the study. Likert scale is used to analyse the level of participation of farm households’, frequency and inferential
statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that (55.8%) of the farm households are within the ages
of 25-30 years, majority (96.7%) are male It shows that majority (64.0%) of the farm households participated in
watermelon production as a result of higher income generated. Multiple regression analysis result revealed significant
relationships between farm households participation in watermelon production and their socio-economic
characteristics at P<0.05. The constraints faced by the farm households are storage technology and improved
agricultural inputs. Most (63.5%) of the farm households believed that provision of subsidized agricultural inputs and
market accessibility are forms of assistance that will encourages farm households to partake in watermelon production.
It is recommended that government and donor agencies should encourage farm households’ by providing them with
the modern agricultural inputs so as to influence them to participate fully into watermelon production irrespective of
their Socio-economic differences.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Participation of Farm Households in Watermelo...AJSERJournal
The study analyzed the factors influencing participation of farm households’ in watermelon production in
the study areas. Three local government areas out of Sokoto state were purposively selected. Questionnaire was used
to collect data. Multistage of sampling techniques were used to arrive at the sample size of 181 farm households’ for
the study. Likert scale is used to analyse the level of participation of farm households’, frequency and inferential
statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that (55.8%) of the farm households are within the ages
of 25-30 years, majority (96.7%) are male It shows that majority (64.0%) of the farm households participated in
watermelon production as a result of higher income generated. Multiple regression analysis result revealed significant
relationships between farm households participation in watermelon production and their socio-economic
characteristics at P<0.05. The constraints faced by the farm households are storage technology and improved
agricultural inputs. Most (63.5%) of the farm households believed that provision of subsidized agricultural inputs and
market accessibility are forms of assistance that will encourages farm households to partake in watermelon production.
It is recommended that government and donor agencies should encourage farm households’ by providing them with
the modern agricultural inputs so as to influence them to participate fully into watermelon production irrespective of
their Socio-economic differences.
Postharvest Loss Reduction & Mycotoxins programs in USAID’s Feed the Future I...Francois Stepman
Ahmed Kablan, Ph.D.
International Nutrition & Public Health Adviser
USAID /Bureau For Food Security/Office of Agriculture Research and Policy
USDA/ARS/Office of International Research Program
Research review-on-formulation-and-sensory-evaluation-of-complementary-foods-...Nezif Abamecha
Since infant food protein-energy malnutrition is a problem in Africa and other developing nations of the world. Food
and Agricultural Organization’s statistics also reveal that in Africa, more than one in four people are malnourished. Food
cereal grains are a major staple in many African homes contributing significant amounts of energy protein, but limiting in
essential amino acid of lysine. Legumes on the other hand are protein and amino acid rich foods, but also lacking in sulphurcontaining amino acids. Hence, a combination of these two grain foods would improve the protein and nutrient density of
the subsequent food products. Probably due to their high nutritional values, however, this review therefore, assesses various
works in literature on the use of these crops to produce composite food products. Complementary foods in most developing
countries are based on staple cereal or root crops. Although, commercial foods of high quality are occasionally available, they
are often expensive and therefore unaffordable by low-income rural households. Different approaches are needed to offer
families the opportunity to feed their infants on improved formulations using low cost and locally available staples, because of
Protein-energy malnutrition among children is the major health challenges and it may be related to low nutritional quality of
traditional complementary foods and high cost of quality protein based complementary foods. This review also aimed at the
formulation, preparation and evaluation of low-cots, locally available products based on cereals and pulses.
Moringa is a plantfood of high nutritional value, ecologically and economically beneficial and readily available in the countries hardest hit by the food crisis. http://miracletrees.org/ http://moringatrees.org/
Mr Nelson Godfried Aguyemang: A Comprehensive Co-operative Approach to Food S...cooperatives
Mr Nelson Godfried Aguyemang, Vice-President, Ghana Agricultural Producers and Marketing Association, Ghana at the International Co-operative Alliance Global Conference in Cape Town, November 2013.
Regina Moench-Pfanner - Diets in Transition: Urbanization & Processed Food at...HKUST IEMS
Recently, the Global Nutrition Report (2014-16) describes a new norm of malnutrition in Asian emerging markets: obesity and non-communicable diseases are on the rise, while a substantial proportion of people still suffer from undernutrition. People living in cities now outnumber those living in rural areas and research suggests a convergence in urban and rural consumer demand for packaged or processed foods within low- and middle-income Asian countries. Both how economics favors the production of cheap, energy-dense but nutrient-poor foods and their growing contributions to modern diets in low- and medium-income populations are important factors in the growing double-burden of malnutrition and disease. All sectors involved in the food and nutrition value-chain need to work together to achieve the research-driven incremental improvements and disruptive innovations that shift the factors of food production and consumption towards improved nutritional and health-related outcomes.
Food safety in informal markets in developing countries: An overviewTezira Lore
Grace, D., Roesel, K. and Lore, T. 2014. Food safety in informal markets in developing countries: An overview. ILRI Research Brief 19. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
Challenges and Solutions to Food SecuritySanjay Sethi
Presented at 3rd International Conference on Global Warming - Food Security organised by Environment Protection & Development Authority, Ras al Khaimah
Moringa is a plantfood of high nutritional value, ecologically and economically beneficial and readily available in the countries hardest hit by the food crisis. http://miracletrees.org/ http://moringatrees.org/
Analysis of Factors Influencing Participation of Farm Households in Watermelo...AJSERJournal
The study analyzed the factors influencing participation of farm households’ in watermelon production in
the study areas. Three local government areas out of Sokoto state were purposively selected. Questionnaire was used
to collect data. Multistage of sampling techniques were used to arrive at the sample size of 181 farm households’ for
the study. Likert scale is used to analyse the level of participation of farm households’, frequency and inferential
statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that (55.8%) of the farm households are within the ages
of 25-30 years, majority (96.7%) are male It shows that majority (64.0%) of the farm households participated in
watermelon production as a result of higher income generated. Multiple regression analysis result revealed significant
relationships between farm households participation in watermelon production and their socio-economic
characteristics at P<0.05. The constraints faced by the farm households are storage technology and improved
agricultural inputs. Most (63.5%) of the farm households believed that provision of subsidized agricultural inputs and
market accessibility are forms of assistance that will encourages farm households to partake in watermelon production.
It is recommended that government and donor agencies should encourage farm households’ by providing them with
the modern agricultural inputs so as to influence them to participate fully into watermelon production irrespective of
their Socio-economic differences.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Participation of Farm Households in Watermelo...AJSERJournal
The study analyzed the factors influencing participation of farm households’ in watermelon production in
the study areas. Three local government areas out of Sokoto state were purposively selected. Questionnaire was used
to collect data. Multistage of sampling techniques were used to arrive at the sample size of 181 farm households’ for
the study. Likert scale is used to analyse the level of participation of farm households’, frequency and inferential
statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that (55.8%) of the farm households are within the ages
of 25-30 years, majority (96.7%) are male It shows that majority (64.0%) of the farm households participated in
watermelon production as a result of higher income generated. Multiple regression analysis result revealed significant
relationships between farm households participation in watermelon production and their socio-economic
characteristics at P<0.05. The constraints faced by the farm households are storage technology and improved
agricultural inputs. Most (63.5%) of the farm households believed that provision of subsidized agricultural inputs and
market accessibility are forms of assistance that will encourages farm households to partake in watermelon production.
It is recommended that government and donor agencies should encourage farm households’ by providing them with
the modern agricultural inputs so as to influence them to participate fully into watermelon production irrespective of
their Socio-economic differences.
Postharvest Loss Reduction & Mycotoxins programs in USAID’s Feed the Future I...Francois Stepman
Ahmed Kablan, Ph.D.
International Nutrition & Public Health Adviser
USAID /Bureau For Food Security/Office of Agriculture Research and Policy
USDA/ARS/Office of International Research Program
Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) and Scaling of Enset landracesafrica-rising
Poster prepared by Zerihun Yemataw, Tesfaye Dejene, Alemar Seid, Sadik Muzemil, Workneh Dubale and Kindu Mekonnen for the Africa RISING Ethiopian Highlands Project Review and Planning Meeting, Addis Ababa, 21–22 May 2019
Assessment of Neglected and Under-Utilized Crop Species of African Horned Mel...IIJSRJournal
There is an increasing interest in neglected and under-utilized crop species (NUS) throughout the world, reflecting a growing trend within agriculture to identify and develop new crops for export and domestic markets. Interest in NUS stems from a variety of factors, including their contribution to agricultural diversification and better use of land, their economic potential and the opportunities they provide for diet diversification. The main objective was to assess the economic and nutritional value of neglected and utilized crop species of African horned melon in Zambia.
The study used the qualitative research design and descriptive, using desk review to collect secondary data from various literature on neglected and under-utilized crops species of African horned melon.
In conclusion, the findings reveal that the African horned melon has nutritional value consisting numerous vitamins and antioxidants which are beneficial to health living of humans and will contribute and broaden food diversity and nutritional among rural and urban communities of Zambia. The crop will promote healthy living among Zambian citizen to overcome malnutrition and obesity. Further, African horned melon is a climate change crop that will enhancing rural resiliency and climate smart agriculture activities in many areas. Communities must be trained and have knowledge experience of farmer-to-farmer capacity building in rural areas of Zambia.
Strengthening the link - Promoting indigenous foods for nutrition in four meg...Bioversity International
The GEF-funded Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Initiative* (www.b4fn.org), led by Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Turkey – four countries burdened with malnutrition and yet home to a large variety of indigenous foods whose nutritional value remains largely unknown – is generating nutrition data for 140 indigenous species from the four countries.
Nutrition-sensitive food systems: from concepts to practice: Resources for de...Francois Stepman
15 May 2017. Brussels. Infopoint Lunchtime Conference: presentation by Cristina Amaral, Director, FAO liaison office with the European Union and Belgium
Charlotte Dufour, FAO Nutrition policy and programme officer
Domitille Kauffmann, FAO Nutrition and resilience and capacity development advisor
Providing evidence of the nutritional quality of indigenous cropsTeresa Borelli
The GEF-funded Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Initiative, led by Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Turkey – four countries burdened with malnutrition and yet home to a large variety of indigenous foods whose nutritional value remains largely unknown – is generating nutrition data for 140 indigenous species from the four countries. Promising traditional and/or neglected foods with nutrition potential will be used in food-based strategies to tackle malnutrition and increase dietary diversity, for example through school feeding programmes. While developing markets for local nutritious biodiversity, attention will be given to promoting their conservation and sustainable use to avoid over-exploitation.
Food Scarcity In India
Food Insecurity Essay
Food Security Regulations
Food Insecurity Essay
Food Security Essay
Indian Food
Food Insecurity Essay
The Importance Of Food Security And Hunger
The Importance Of Food Security
Food Security Papers
Food Security Essay
Ethno-veterinary knowledge and practices amongst Indigenous pastoralists in t...AI Publications
The present study entitled “Ethno-veterinary knowledge and practices amongst indigenous pastoralists in the Menoua division, West region of Cameroon” was conducted from January to June 2019. It was aimed at assessing and analyzing more specifically; pastoralists’ perceptions regarding ethno-veterinary practices, major ethno-veterinary practices in the study area, major challenges faced by pastoralists in the field of ethno-veterinary, and pastoralists’ conservation measures for proper management of these knowledge/practices. A descriptive method of statistics was employed where survey questionnaires, FGDs, and field observations were used for data collection. A sample size of 200 respondents was targeted through both purposive and stratified sampling methods. The major findings indicate that, there is disease prevalence in the study area with over 93.0% of responses. A large majority of respondents (62.0%) use both ethno-veterinary and modern means of treatments while over 26.5% depends only on ethno-veterinary medicines. Pastoralists in the study area proved to have positive attitude and concern for ethno-veterinary medicines and over 58.0% of them judged it to be ‘very effective and fruitful’. Documentation of major ethno-veterinary practices was realized for the following cattle diseases plaguing the study area; Brucellosis, FMD, Cowdriosis, Streptothricosis, Babesiosis, Diarrhoea, Ringworm, Infertility, Epheral fever, Bloat, Wound, Poisoning, Fracture, Lumpy skin, Lice, Ticks, and Flies. The major challenges encountered by pastoralists in ethno-veterinary practices were; difficulties in obtaining medicinal plants due to recent physico-demographic challenges, difficulties in preparation and/or usage of dosage, and challenges in storage/preservation, accounting for 93.0%, 89.5% and 82.5% of responses respectively. Despite these challenges, pastoralists in the study area pass down ethno-veterinary knowledge/practices to the younger generation and some of them still conserve medicinal plants in home gardens as effective means to preserve and promote this very important resource pool necessary for man and his society. Nevertheless, according to the respondents, the most important workable solution for the preservation and promotion of ethno-veterinary practices include; documentation of the knowledge/practices, full integration of this system of medicine into the educational milieu, protection of areas containing ethno-medicinal plants, and the promotion of home gardening of medicinal plants.
As we celebrate International Women's Day, it is important to recognize that there is an urgent need to better understand the role that gender plays in smallholder farming systems, and forest communities, in order to develop effective biodiversity conservation and use strategies for food security. Happy International Women's Day!
Read more about Bioversity International’s research-for-development portfolio and strategic priorities.
http://www.bioversityinternational.org/research/
In the midst of the toxic atmosphere of Watts, seeds are sprouting, organic gardens are thriving, young people are discovering a vocation, and healthy, whole foods are becoming part of everyday life.
Good Food Helps your Children Excel in SchoolSeeds
Good Food = Academic Success for your Children~
INCLUDES LINKS TO:
Over 120 books and web sites on Education, Children's Health and Academic Success, Organic Food Recipes, Organic Non-Sugar Sweeteners, School Lunches ~ Over 300 books on Organic Gardening and Heirloom Gardening ~ Over 200 books on Sustainable Technology and Alternative Housing ~ Over 30 books on Renewable Energy ~ Many Free PDF files on Rain Gardens, Roof Gardens, Aeroponic Gardening, Rainwater Harvesting, Waterwise Gardening, Green Eco Churches, Vegetable Oil Cars, Organic Gardening Guides, Ram Pumps, Companion Planting, Garden Therapy Manuals, Faith Healing
Edible Schoolyards = Academic Success & Gardening with ChildrenSeeds
Organic Edible Schoolyards = Academic Success + Healthy Students ~
INCLUDES LINKS TO:
Over 80 books and web sites dealing with Gardening with Children - Over 300 books on Organic Gardening - Over 200 books on Sustainable Technology - Over 50 books on Renewable Energy - Many Free PDF files on Rain Gardens, Roof Gardens, Aeroponic Gardening, Rainwater Harvesting, Waterwise Gardening, Green Eco Churches, Vegetable Oil Cars, Organic Gardening Guides, Ram Pumps, Companion Planting, 7 - Garden Therapy Manuals
Horseback Riding Therapy, Natural Horse Care, Natural Pet Food, Natural Pet CareSeeds
Horseback Riding Therapy, Natural Horse Care, Natural Pet Food, Natural Pet Care
- helping the Disabled, PTSD & the Elderly to Rehabilitation & Recovery
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
Macroeconomics- Movie Location
This will be used as part of your Personal Professional Portfolio once graded.
Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
for beginners, providing thorough training in areas such as SEO, digital communication marketing, and PPC training in Noida. After finishing the program, students receive the certifications recognised by top different universitie, setting a strong foundation for a successful career in digital marketing.
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
Farmer-Led Seed Enterprises of African Indigenous Vegetables
1. Promoting farmer‐led seed enterprises of African indigenous vegetables to boost
1
household incomes and nutrition in Kenya and Tanzania
Daniel Karanja1*, Nasambu Okoko2, Edwin Kiptarus3, Paul Okongo4, Silivesta
Samali5, Alphonce Katunzi6, Hamis Mtwaenzi7, Firoz Mwakitwange7, Victor Afari‐
Sefa8, Richard Musebe1, Martin Kimani1 and Lydia Kimenye9
1 CAB International (CABI), PO Box 633‐00621, Nairobi, Kenya
2 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute ‐ Kisii, P O Box 523‐40200 Kisii, Kenya
3 Kenya Seed Company, PO Box 553, Kitale, Kenya
4 Technology Adoption Through Research Organisation (TATRO), PO Box 34‐04061,
Yala, Kenya
5Horticultural Research Institute Institute‐Tengeru, PO Box 1253, Arusha, Tanzania
6 INADES Formation Tanzania; PO Box 203, Dodoma, Tanzania
7 Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute, PO Box 1056, Morogoro, Tanzania;
8 The World Vegetable Center, Regional Center for Africa (AVRDC‐RCA), PO Box 10
Duluti Arusha, Tanzania
9 Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
(ASARECA), Plot 5, Mpigi Road, PO Box 765, Entebbe, Uganda
*Author for Correspondence: d.karanja@cabi.org; Tel: +254 20 7224462; Fax: +254 207122150
Abstract
The problem of food security in sub‐Saharan Africa is aggravated by micronutrient
deficiencies, a major impediment to social and economic development. Malnutrition
including lack of essential micro‐nutrient deficiency can impair growth and/or cause
high mortality, especially among vulnerable populations of women and children. In
Kenya and Tanzania, 40% to 45% of pregnant and nursing women suffer from
anaemia while 25% to 30% of children under five are stunted and highly susceptible
to infectious diseases. African indigenous vegetables (AIVs), including Africa
nightshade, Amaranths, Crotalaria, Spiderplant, Jute mallow and African eggplant are rich
in micronutrients such as iron, zinc, Vitamin A, and contain non‐nutrient substances
called phytochemicals, which help protect people against non‐communicable
diseases. Consumers in many parts of Eastern and Central Africa (ECA), especially
in urban areas are becoming aware of the nutritive benefits of these vegetables. A
growing number of smallholders in turn are striving to take advantage of this
renewed interest in the AIVs by growing and supplying them to markets in both the
rural areas and in urban centres. AIVs are becoming a common item in major
supermarkets and green grocery stores in some countries notably, Kenya, Tanzania,
and Uganda, to name a few. However, the potential to meet the growing demand
for these vegetables in the region is limited by lack of good quality seeds. The
2. majority of farmer use seeds obtained either saved from their own previous crop or
from open air markets, which have problems of purity with mean germination rates
rarely above 50%. Depending on seeds from such sources also means that farmers
have limited access to seeds of improved varieties that meet consumer preferred
attributes. Effective seed supply system and an assured market for seed is critical in
unleashing the potential of AIVs to improve food security and livelihoods of target
communities, and increase adaptation of vulnerable populations. This paper
describes the process used and the success achieved in an ongoing pilot project
aimed at validating and promoting farmer‐led seed enterprise (FLSE) models for
sustainable supply of quality seeds of AIVs. This is being implemented in Kenya and
Tanzania, however, the lessons learned on these models will be shared for scaling up
in other countries. Three FLSE models are being evaluated: private sector seed
company‐mediated model, research‐mediated model and informal grade model. The
success of the models is based on development of technical capacities of seed
producers as well as building strategic and functional linkages through public
private partnership with institutions/organisations in the value chain. Success
parameters, such as volumes of quality seed (certified or quality declared depending
on country seed regulations) of different AIVs produced and sold, number of
smallholder seed growers trained and able to go through the quality assurance are
among those used in the evaluation of enterprise models. More than 500 farmers
(>40% women) have been trained on quality seed production and post harvest
handling. Through the private sector mediated farmer‐led seed enterprises model in
Kenya, farmers are earning on average $4,500 per annum from indigenous
vegetables seed production. One exceptional farmer earned up to US $ 17,000 in
2010. Similarly, from the training and inspection by the government seed
certification agency farmers in Dodoma Tanzania are now producing and selling
high quality declared seed of African eggplant, amaranths and nightshade. These are
quality seeds, which have been shown to have a mean germination and purity
standard above 90%, are in high demand both locally and in Dar es Salaam and
fetching good prices of approximately US$ 3 per kilogram.
Keywords: African indigenous vegetables, technology, dissemination, farmer, seed enterprise,
income, Kenya, Tanzania
Introduction
Food security, a situation that exists when all people at all times have physical, social
and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets dietary needs
and food preferences for an active and healthy life (FAO, 2011) consists of three main
components: food availability, access and utilization (Lobell and Burke, 2010).
Nutrition is an important input for attaining the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs), whereas nutritional status is a key MDG indicator of poverty and hunger,
and directly contributes to the MDGs related to health and education. Improved
2
3. nutritional status leads to a focus on gender equity, reduces the risk of child
mortality, improves maternal health, and improves ability to combat disease.
Undernourishment and malnourishment are used as measures of food security and
it is estimated that 925 million of the global population are undernourished. Of
these, 239 million (26%) are inhabitants of sub‐Saharan Africa (FAO, 2010).
The problem of food security in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) is aggravated by
micronutrient deficiencies, also known as “hidden hunger”, a major impediment to
social and economic development (FAO, 2010). Malnutrition can impair child
growth and causes high mortality, especially among vulnerable populations of
women and children. Iron deficiency, for example, during childhood and
adolescence impairs physical growth, mental development, and learning capacity. In
adults, iron deficiency (anaemia) reduces the capacity to do physical labour and
increases the risk of women death during delivery or in the postpartum period
(Stoltzfus, 2001). In Kenya and Tanzania, 40% to 45% of pregnant and nursing
women suffer from anaemia while 25% to 30% of children under five are stunted
and highly susceptible to infectious diseases (WHO, 2002). In addition, zinc
deficiency is an important cause of stunting (Brown and Wuehler 2000; Roy et al.,
1999; Umeta et al., 2000). Hence, interventions that deal with poor diet quality and
related deficiencies of vitamin A, zinc, iron, among others, are important for
achieving full food security in vulnerable populations.
African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) including Spiderplant (Cleome gynandra),
African nightshades (Solanum villosum and Solanum scabrum), Amaranths1
(Amaranthus spp.) Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius), Crotalaria (Crotalaria ochroleuca
and Crotalaria brevidens) and African eggplant (S. aethiopicum), are traditionally and
significant contributors to food security and nutrition for smallholder farmers in the
East and Central Africa (ECA) region (Onim and Mwaniki, 2008; Abukutsa, 2010).
These AIVs are rich in micronutrients such as iron, zinc, Vitamin A, and contain non‐nutrient
substances called phytochemicals, which help protect people against non‐communicable
diseases. The Spiderplant, for example, has been reported to relieve
constipation and to facilitate child birth (Heever van den and Venter, 2007), while
African nightshade has been documented to cure stomach ache (Adesina and Gbile,
1984). The AIVs are also known to contain substantial amounts of antioxidants that
scavenge for and bind to harmful radicals, which have been linked to ailments such
as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, AIVs improve
palatability and add variety to diets, especially those of the poor, and are
1 Amaranth although considered not indigenous to Africa, is included in this context to distinguish it from the more temperate
kinds of leafy vegetables like the brassicas (cabbage, etc). Besides, consumers and farmers alike consider amaranth as ‘local’,
‘indigenous’ (mboga ya asili) vegetable.
3
4. particularly valuable sources of food during emergency periods such as during
flood, famine, drought and war. AIVs are highly valued in the African diet as
accompaniment to carbohydrate‐based staples and have an advantage over staple
crops as they have shorter cycles, are faster growing, require little space, can
maximize scarce water supplies and soil nutrients better and can be considered less
risk‐prone (Weinberger and Lumpkin, 2007) and are rarely affected by common
pests and diseases that affect other vegetables (Abukutsa, 2010).
Improving food security requires improved productivity, as well as health and
nutrition of the undernourished and micronutrient‐deficient children, youth and
women. Dietary diversification is important in providing adequate quality nutrition;
whereby adopting a food‐based strategy focusing on increased consumption of
vegetables, fruits and legumes is a cost‐effective sustainable intervention to the
control of nutrient deficiencies and lifestyle disorders (Gockowski et al., 2003).
Whereas AIVs contribute significantly to improve nutrition, food security, incomes
and overall livelihoods for rural and urban poor, the potential to meet the growing
demand for these vegetables in the region is limited by lack of good quality seeds
(Onim and Mwaniki, 2008). Although peri‐urban communities grow AIVs to supply
commercial up market outlets like super‐markets and green grocery stores, they are
often frustrated by poor quality seed. The majority of farmers use seeds either saved
from a previous crop or obtained from open air markets. These sources tend to have
problems of purity, especially the mixing of different varieties and have mean
germination rates rarely above 50% (Onim and Mwaniki, 2008). Farmers needed
pure seed to meet the requirement of the market, but such clean quality seed is
lacking in the market. This undermines the quality of vegetables produced by
farmers. Effective seed supply system and an assured market for seed is critical in
successfully unleashing the potential of AIVs to improve food security and
livelihoods especially for the most vulnerable populations. For example, when
women have an income, they gain more power in household decision‐making and
are likely to devote income to household needs and education investments (FAO,
2001). This paper describes the process used and the success achieved in an ongoing
pilot project aimed at evaluating promoting farmer‐led seed enterprise models for
sustainable supply of quality seeds of AIVs in Kenya and Tanzania. The lessons
learnt can be replicated in other countries in the region thus achieving impact, which
extends beyond the direct intervention locations.
Project Concept and Approach
To address the issue of unavailability of quality seeds of AIVs in the region, the
Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
(ASARECA) in collaboration with CABI and other partners in Kenya and Tanzania
initiated the project, “Scaling up farmer‐led seed enterprises for sustained productivity and
livelihoods in Eastern and Central Africa”, in December 2009. The project is
4
5. implemented in collaboration with Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI),
Kenya Seed Company Ltd. (KSC) and Technical Adoption Through Research
Organisation (TATRO) in Kenya. The partners in Tanzania include, Horticultural
Research and Training Institute Tengeru (HORTI‐Tengeru), Tanzania Official Seed
Certification Institute (TOSCI), INADES‐Formation Tanzania and The World
Vegetable Centre, Regional Centre for Africa (AVRDC‐RCA). The key objective of
the project is to evaluate three farmer‐led seed enterprise (FLSE) models on AIVs to
generate evidence‐based and rigorously analysed conceptual models for
economically sustainable enterprises to improve production of seeds of AIVs in the
region.
The project fits well with the fourth economic pillar of the Comprehensive Africa
Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) established as part of the African
Union and New Partnership for Africaʹs Development (AU/NEPAD). CAADP aims
to “improve agricultural research and systems in order to disseminate appropriate
new technologies, and increasing the support given to help farmers to adopt them”.
The project is closely aligned to the Results2 frame of ASARECA, and as well as to
that of ASARECA’s, Knowledge Management and Up‐scaling (KMUS) Programme.
It contributes directly to the ASARECA’s Purpose of “enhanced utilisation of
agricultural research and development innovations in ECA” and three of the five
ASARECA results (Outputs). As an action oriented research activity, the project is
catalysing uptake, by increasing the availability of quality seeds of improved
varieties of AIVs in uptake pathways in the project areas (ASARECA Result 2), and
adding value by using quantitative and qualitative methods to rigorously analyse
options for scaling‐up. Participatory approaches used by the multidisciplinary team
in Kenya and Tanzania in the identification of knowledge gaps and in the
implementation of capacity building programme for both men and women through
the training of trainers and farmers, contributes towards promotion of gender and
social equity, thus ensuring validity and legitimacy of the findings (ASARECA
Result 4). This is in tandem with ASARECA’s strategic plan for gender
mainstreaming. The emphasis on dissemination, including the formulation of
guidelines and recommendations for use beyond the end of the project, will enhance
availability of the knowledge generated by the project especially on the farmer‐led
5
2 1. Strengthened gender responsive governance and management systems in ASARECA
2. Enhanced generation of demand driven agricultural technologies and innovations
3. Enhanced adoption of policy options by decision makers to improve performance of the agricultural sector in ECA
4. Strengthened capacity for implementing agricultural research for development in ECA
5. Enhanced availability of information on agricultural innovation in ECA
6. seed enterprise models for producing AIV seeds and promote sustainability and
replicability (ASARECA Result 5).
The methodology consisted of a regional inception workshop, followed by local in
country inaugural workshop, where various stakeholders including change agents in
working in the AIVs value chain, were identified, brought together and actively
involved in the design and implementation of the project activities. Staff in the
government extension, Non‐governmental organisations and Community‐based
organisations, Researchers and Universities, Regulatory bodies, Seed companies,
and Farmer seed growers (individual/group) were identified, noting that other
actors were identified that were recognised as being important to indigenous seed
systems, but that the project may only work with indirectly. During the workshop a
design worksheet for the programme framework and a gender‐sensitive strategy
map was developed. The strategy map represents the activities that the project will
undertake to directly influence the identified change agents (individual, group or
organization) or indirectly at the environment in which the change agents operate to
achieve the desired project outcome.
Using a multistage random sampling procedure, a baseline survey was first
conducted at the beginning of the project to establish the pre‐adoption socio‐economic
situation and production practices of the participating farmers. During the
surveys, participatory analysis of needs and constraints of AIV seed growers and
markets, as well as existing agronomic practices and post‐harvest handling was
undertaken. This formed the basis for subsequent activities including, mobilisation
of farmers, development of a participatory training programme for master trainers
and farmers (seed growers) to build the capacities in local production and marketing
of quality seed of identified priority AIV crops in respective country. With the
technical support of ASARECA’s Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, as well as the
Gender mainstreaming department, a project performance monitoring plan, with
clear gender‐sensitive indicators for tracking project progress was developed.
Given the strong capacity strengthening element and model evaluation aspects
imbedded in the project approach, the monitoring and lessons learning processes
adopted in the project are augmented by outcome mapping.
Achievements
Identification and validation of farmer‐led seed enterprise models
Based on the existing seed policy and regulations regarding production and
marketing in Kenya and Tanzania, three farmer‐led seed enterprise models for AIVs
6
7. are being evaluated. First is the private sector seed company‐mediated model, where
farmers in western Kenya were linked to a private seed company, the Kenya Seed
Company Ltd., through its subsidiary, Simlaw, which is engaged in vegetable seed
marketing in East Africa. The process involved registration of the seed growers and
working closely with seed inspectors from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate
Services (KEPHIS) for seed inspection. In Tanzania, linkage of farmers in Arusha
region to East African Seed, Multiflower/Mkulima, Iffa Seed, Kibo Seed and Meru
Agro‐Tours seed companies is underway with the Tanzania Official Seed
Certification Institute (TOSCI) maintaining quality control of the seeds produced.
Secondly, a research‐mediated model is being explored, where farmers are organised in
groups to work with a National Agricultural Research Institute to produce quality
seed. In Kenya, the groups are working with the Kenya Agricultural Research
Institute (KARI). Through KARI seed merchant licences, the farmers are facilitated to
operate because on their own, they have not yet qualified to have their seed certified.
In Tanzania, farmers are working with the Tanzania TOSCI and were able to
produce and packaged quality declared seed (QDS) of African eggplant, Amaranths
and Nightshade. As a result of these efforts, the farmers in the two countries have
improved along the scale and could soon be registered to produce certified seed.
Parallel to the regulated and QDS systems is a third model, the informal grade
improvement model. In this model, seed of African indigenous vegetables is
improved and distributed to farmers as distributed to farmers as starter seed, which
they sell in the open market. This has expanded the reach of quality seed to those
who cannot get certified or quality declared seed.
Strengthening of capacities of seed growers
Building the capacity of farmers to produce and market seeds of AIVs as an
enterprise contribute towards promotion of agriculture and food security both at the
local, national and regional level. A training curriculum on AIV seed production was
developed based on the identified needs for the farmer‐led seed enterprises and
used to train farmers. The training covered the technical aspects of seed production
including participatory approaches, enterprise selection, identification of seed
production sites, nursery management, good agricultural practices for crop, pests
and disease management, isolation distance, rouguing of off‐types, harvesting and
post–harvesting, record keeping, seed business management, seed regulation and
marketing. A training of trainers (ToT) course was carried out for 19 farmers (7
women) in Kenya and 10 farmers (3 women) in Tanzania. After the training, the ToT
graduates conducted season‐long farmers training in the identified project sites, in
line with the cropping season and the stage of growth of the respective AIV seed
crop. A total of 340 farmers (42.4% women) have so far been trained in western
Kenya. The farmers used the knowledge to improve their production of African
nightshade, Crotolaria, Jute mallow and African eggplant seed.
7
8. Preliminary data for the private sector mediated model shows that a smallholder can
profitably produce African indigenous vegetable seed. Forty five (35 male, 10
female) farmers are currently engaged in the model (Figure 1), with the majority of
the farmers having more than one seed crop. In Kenya the farmers earned on
average $ 4,500 per year3 from indigenous vegetables with an exceptional farmer
earning as high as $ 17,000 per annum through the seed company mediated farmer
led seed enterprises (Figure 2). It was noted that the productivity (seed yield/acre)
increased by 10.6%, 40.1% and 59.4% for Nightshade, Jute Mallow and Crotalaria,
respectively, during the second cropping season. This is attributed to the improved
management (good agricultural practices) of the seed crops employed by the farmers
as a result of the trainings conducted under the current project.
Figure1. Number of famers producing seeds of African indigenous vegetables
under a private sector seed company‐mediated model in western Kenya during
the 2010 cropping seasons
8
3 1US$ = Ksh 80
9. Figure2. Income from production of seeds of African indigenous vegetables under
a private sector seed company‐mediated model in western Kenya during the 2010
cropping seasons
In addition to the training, the project initiated the development of descriptors and
bulking of foundation seed for Spiderplant and Amaranths to ensure sustainable
supply of starter seed to growers in Kenya who have no formal contracts with seed
companies. The breeder seed originally obtained from the World Vegetable Centre‐
Regional Centre for Africa and subsequently improved and maintained by
Lagrotech Seed Company was used. It is estimated that, with an average yield of
172Kg per acre, the starter seed of Spiderplant so far produced would be able to
generate an income of US$ 7,785.00 per acre, within one cropping season.
From the training and inspection by the government seed certification agency,
farmers in Dodoma, Tanzania the farmers are now producing and selling high
quality seed. For example, the farmers are producing seed of African Eggplant with
mean germination rate and seed purity rate of 94%; Amaranths with mean
germination rate and seed purity rate of 92%; Nightshade with mean germination rate
and seed purity rate of 99% (Table 1). The seeds are in high demand locally and in
Dar es Salaam and fetching good prices of about US$ 3 per kg.
9
10. 10
Table 1. Quantity and quality standards of Quality Declared Seed (QDS 1)
produced by farmers in Dodoma, during the 2010/11 cropping season.
Crop Yield (Kg)
Female Male Total
African eggplant ‐ 4.0 4.0
Amaranths 75.0 585.0 660.0
Nightshade 3.5 2.8 6.3
Germination (%)
Female Male Mean
African eggplant ‐ 94.0 94.0
Amaranths 92.2 92.3 92.3
Nightshade 98.0 100.0 99.0
Purity (%)
Female Male Mean
African eggplant ‐ 94.0 94.0
Amaranths 92.2 92.3 92.3
Nightshade 98.0 100.0 99.0
Group strengthening and institutional capacity building.
Strengthening of farmers’ seed enterprise consisted of first sensitising the farmers to
the interest of engaging in seed production as a group and as a profitable business.
Through participatory process the farmers groups were organised into better
structured autonomous producer groups each with a democratically elected
leadership and constitution. The groups were assisted to register to have a legally
recognised status, which is essential to build trust and a sense of security among the
group members. This can also facilitate the group to have access to financial services
for savings and credit. For example, following the training on marketing and
governance, two farmer groups, the Akikieun Vegetable Growers Group and the
Korosiondet Kilimo Bora self‐help group in Kenya were formalised and registered as
a community‐based organisation to maximise economies of scale. The groups also
provide mechanism for information sharing.
Contribution to promoting improved technologies in uptake pathways
With the strong linkage with research institution, both NARs and the African
Vegetable Research and Development Center, Regional Centre for Africa ( AVRDC‐RCA)
improved varieties have been tested and selected by farmers for promotion.
Because the market for AIV is characterised by variations in consumer preferences
seed producers are able to access varieties that meet these market niches. For
example, some consumers (especially in urban cosmopolitan areas) tend to prefer
variants of African nightshade that are less bitter and in such cases, growers can
have access to quality seeds of the broad leafed variety. Other consumers for
example in western Kenya prefer the more bitter varieties. The linkages of the seed
11. producers with research, has enable good access to foundation seed of these
varieties. In these processes improved varieties of different kinds of the AIV handled
in the project are now in uptake pathways in Kenya and Tanzania (Plate 1).
Plate 1: Smallholder farmers harvesting leaves of Spiderplant (left) and Amaranths
(right) in western and central Kenya, respectively.
Contribution to food security and poverty alleviation
Through testimonials by participating farmers in Kenya and Tanzania, the project is
making significant contribution towards people’s livelihoods. The vegetables are
contributing towards food and nutrition security. Through crop diversification, the
vegetable production as well as the seed enterprises significant changes in
household incomes are beginning to emerge through income earned from the seed
business. For example, Mrs. Michel Orone, a window who is engaged seed
production under the private sector seed company mediated model (contracted by
Kenya seed Company) has built a permanent house from incomes earned from
selling quality seed of Nightshade, Crotalaria and beans. Mrs Orone used part of her
income from the sale of seeds to pay school fees (US$ 750) for her two grand children
(orphans) in secondary school. In addition, during the 2010 cropping season she
employed on average eight casual labourers (men and women) for three months,
each earning approximately US$1.5 per day. More testimonies including farmers
being able purchase motor cycles worth US $750 each are being documented.
Similarly, Mr and Mrs Boazi Sebai quality declared seed growers in Kongwa,
Tanzania spent Tsh 80,000 (US$ 47) for all expenses to grow seed including buying
improved seeds. They harvested 300kg of amaranth seed which they sold and
earned a total of Tsh 750,000 (US$ 440). From these proceeds they are constructing a
permanent house (Plate 2).
11
12. Plate 2: Mr and Mrs Boazi Sebai (left) in their Amaranths seed multiplication plot
and their house (right), under construction using proceeds from sale of the seeds,
in Kongwa District, Dodoma, Tanzania.
12
Lessons learnt
• Production of quality seeds of African indigenous vegetables requires a range of
skills and capacities at various levels, from planning, management of seed
production and marketing. This requires skilled and knowledgeable people at all
levels in the seed value chain.
• Improving farmers’ skills and knowledge in seed quality management, post
harvest handling and marketing could enhance uptake.
• Besides technical support, financial supports for seed production is essential to
enable the farmers acquire the required inputs and simple labour‐saving
technologies for wet seed processing for crops such as Nightshade.
• Farmer‐ led seed enterprises can prosper under favourable policy environment
and with the needed capacities and effective linkages being in place.
• The linkages between the seed growers, seed companies, and research and
development organisation/institutions have enabled the seed growers to acquire
relevant skill to improve productivity. The agricultural extension system needs to
continue sensitising farmers to use quality seed.
• Success of farmer‐led seed enterprises is based on strengthening institutional,
technical and organisation/governance of the groups, partnership with regulators
for seed quality control and provision of basic seed.
• Given that both men and women as well as the youth are involved in the farmer‐led
seed enterprises contribute to gender empowerment and development
• Strengthening of s seed producers groups, provide a mechanism for information
sharing among the smallholder farmers aiming at improvement in their
knowledge and skills in seed production and marketing.
• While the current project was based on an identified lack of seed and therefore,
focused of development of seed enterprises, the continued flourishing of these
businesses require continued growth in demand for vegetables and in turn for
13. seed. A sustained demand for the vegetables in both local and urban markets in
country and in similar neighbouring countries is necessary to expand market for
the seed. Similarly, sensitization of smallholders on the need to use quality seed
would also boost the growth and sustainability of the emerging AIV seed
enterprises.
Conclusion
The farmer–led seed enterprises on African indigenous vegetables being validated
are contributing towards food and nutrition security through crop diversification, as
well as the improvement of the livelihood through income earned from the seed
business. The success of farmer‐led seed enterprise models on African indigenous
vegetables is based on building good partnerships with wide range of
institutions/organisations for identifying, establishing and training seed growers
groups. Building partnerships around these institutional linkages has been essential
for the success of the project. This requires commitment of all partners, growers as
well as local, regional and international research and development agencies.
Continuous support of farmer led seed enterprises through capacity building of seed
growers particularly in seed production and marketing is necessary to ensure that
they will become more efficient and profitable.
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Acknowledgement
The work described in this paper was conducted as part of the activities in the
Project No. P056‐09‐P7‐01‐003 entitled, “Scaling up farmer‐led seed enterprises for
sustained productivity and livelihoods in Eastern and Central Africa”. This project is
financed through the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) to Association for
Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA). The
advisory and technical support from Dr Lydia Kimenye, Knowledge Management
and Up‐scaling Programme Manager is also gratefully acknowledged.