Issue 063 - Regional Food Systems
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BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 1
A magazine on drylands development and sustainable agriculture / Issue 63, September 2011
REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 20112
Regional Director James Nguo
Dear Reader,
T he theme for this issue of Baobab has been informed by the need to
explore and understand the relationship between food production
systems and mechanisms for its delivery to consumers at local regional
and global levels. With increasing population, a changing global climate and varying patterns of
utilisation of food crops, it is important that we create more platforms for discussions about food systems. As Dr.
Immaculate Maina observes in the Theme Overview, the efect of food systems on human welfare depends on a
range of factors including their environments; poverty status and their capacity to inluence or be part of food
systems either as producers, processors or consumers.
There is a place for the small scale farmer in the context of global food production and consumption. Given small-
scale farmers tend to intercrop a wide variety of food types they contribute towards regional agro-biodiversity.
They enhance the potential of local food systems to provide a large variety of grains, tubers, pulses, green
leaves, wild fruits and berries, meat and ish that are locally important, nutritionally rich, culturally accepted and
environmentally resilient. As population increases and with it demand for more food, it is expected that pressure
for mass production of food will threaten this diversity.
As the efects of climate change manifest in more frequent droughts in regions such as the Horn of Africa, the
resulting low food production is already forcing communities to adopt various coping mechanisms among
them: consuming less food in order to just survive; consuming only essential food or; consuming food of
poor quality. The impact of this is reduced consumption of essential micronutrients which compromises
capacities for production and therefore leads to low household incomes. This is why our Stork Story focuses on
encouraging farmers to begin growing crops that enable them to cope with drought, while providing them
with more nutrients and capacity to sell surplus to improve their livelihoods.
A discussion of food systems with respect to East Africa is timely. The region, particularly northern Kenya
and parts of Somalia have experienced severe food stress over the period 2010 – 2011, leading to the worst
famine in 60 years. Many are now questioning existing regional food policies given that droughts in the region
have become predictable. It is not diicult to ind one area in Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania experiencing food
surplus while another area in the same country is experiencing food scarcity. Clearly, in such situations local
mechanisms for distribution and access to markets are not well aligned.
On a diferent note, I wish to share with you some good news. ALIN is the 2011 winner of Access to Learning
Award (ATLA) given annually by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. ALIN was recognised for providing
access to information and technology in hard to reach communities through creation of knowledge centres
in rural areas. On behalf of ALIN fraternity, I wish to thank all of you for your dedicated contributions towards
supporting your network.
We welcome your comments and feedback on the subjects covered in this issue. We trust that we will continue
to count on your ideas and suggestions on how to make Baobab more relevant to the livelihoods of small-
scale agricultural producers in East Africa. We are especially keen to receive ideas about how to ensure usable
information reaches those whose lives depend on increasing the production of their crops and livestock in a
manner that preserves available natural resources.
Editorial
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 3
ISSN: 0966-9035Baobab is published four times a year to create a forum for ALIN members to network, share their experiences and learn from experiences of other people working in similar areas.
Editorial Board
James Nguo
Noah Lusaka
Esther Lung’ahi
Anthony Mugo – Chief Editor
Illustrations
Shadrack Melly
Layout and Design
Bernie Wendoh (Noel Creative Media)
Important Notices
Copyright
Articles, pictures and illustrations from Baobab may be adapted for use in materials that are development oriented, provided the materials are distributed free of charge and ALIN and the author(s) are credited. Copies of the samples should be sent to ALIN.
DisclaimerOpinions and views expressed in the letters and articles do not necessarily relect the views of the editors or ALIN. Technical information supplied should be cross-checked as thoroughly as possible as ALIN cannot accept responsibility should any problems occur.
Regional Editions
1. Farming Matters global edition by ileia
2. LEISA revista de agroecologia, Latin America edition by Asociacion ETC andes.
3. LEISA India, by AME foundation
4. Majalah Petani by VECO Indonesia
5. AGRIDAPE, French West African edition by IED Afrique
6. Agriculture, Experiences em Agroecologia, the Brazilian edition by AS-PTA
7. Chinese edition by CBIK
Talk to us
The Baobab magazine
Arid Lands Information Network, ALIN
P. O. Box 10098 – 00100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya
AAYMCA Building, Ground loor, Along State House Crescent,
Of State House Avenue, Nairobi
Tel. +254 20 2731557 • Telefax. +254 20 2737813
Cell: +254 722 561006
E-mail: Baobab@alin.net • Or visit us at www.alin.net
About ALIN
Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is an NGO that facilitates information and knowledge exchange to and between extension workers or infomediaries and arid lands communities in the East Africa region. The information exchange activities focus on small-scale sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, natural resources management and other livelihood issues.
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THEME OVERVIEW:Regional food systems
PROJECT FOCUS:
Adoption of Agro-Forestry Raises
Food Production in Cameroon
OPEN COLUMN:
Soaring popularity of sweet potato
in Kenya
NEWS:
ALIN wins Global Knowledge Award
Other Pages...Stork Story ........................................................................................................................... Pg 18
TECHNICAL NOTE: Indigenous Milk ............................................... Pg 23
GUEST COLUMN: Interview ........................................................................ Pg 24
BOOK REVIEW: ........................................................................................................ Pg 30
ContentsContents
THEMEOVERVIEW
Food is essential to life and is a basic human need; it preoccupies all persons - as
producers, processors, distributors and as consumers. The World Food Summit of
1996 deined food security as existing “when all people at all times have access to suficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.” The three pillars of food security are availability, access and use.
By Immaculate MainaThe Nature of Food Systems
REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 20114
A “”food system” comprises
the mutually supporting,
linked and synergistic
activities that result in the
production, processing and
packaging, exchange and
consumption of food. A “food
system” is a complex process that utilizes natural
resources, inputs and technology in production.
The raw materials are processed and packaged
according to speciied standards and customer
demands. The system then involves marketing,
advertising and trade in distribution and retailing
of food materials to end-users who then prepare
the food for consumption.
At the local level, food systems espouse shorter
distances and closer trade links between producers,
processors and consumers of a particular place. The
local food systems operate in tandem to develop
and form regional food systems that cover wider
areas and regions. Thus, food systems are often
diferentiated by their geographic reach (global,
national, regional and local). Functional food
systems guarantee all people at all times have access
to suicient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a
healthy and active life.
Weak or failed food systems cause untold misery
with far reaching physical, mental and economic
efects on any community. When people subsist
on less than the recommended 2,100 kilocalories
per day that the average person needs to lead a
healthy life; they are victims of under nourishment.
The extreme is acute the hunger or starvation that
is often highlighted in media and which is the basis
for rapid emergency response. Poor food systems are
caused by various factors including: natural disasters
especially prolonged droughts; conlict; poverty
traps where the poor lack enough money to buy or
produce food; over-exploitation of environmental
resources leading to poor productivity; poor farming
practices, deforestation, over-cropping, overgrazing,
erosion, salination and desertiication; lack of
agricultural infrastructure such as roads, warehouses
and; failure to use irrigation.
Functioning food systems
Factors in support of or those that impede the proper
functioning of food systems are rarely localized but
are often spread over regions. Indeed, the on-going
food crisis in the horn of Africa is an example of the
regional nature of food systems and of the inherent
dynamics within. Here, the compound efects of
drought, conlict and poor infrastructure and bad
governance have resulted in a serious hunger
situation afecting millions and with ramiications
over the whole of the East African region. This is
happening against a backdrop of surplus food
production in other areas within the region. Hence,
dysfunctional regional integration is a root cause for
many food crises.
Food systems interactions occur between and within
the bio-geophysical systems, agro-ecological zones
(AEZ) and the human socio-economic environments
inluencing both activities and outcomes over large
areas. They are spread over areas of similar agro-
ecological zones (AEZs). Africa is divided into various
AEZs based on the length of the growing period
(LGP) or the number of days when both moisture and
temperature permit rain fed crop production. The
AEZs are desert, arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, humid
and highlands.
The cropping systems within an AEZ are likely to
be similar and the planting and harvesting systems
will difer across regions. In addition, regional agro-
biodiversity has a large variety of grains, tubers,
pulses, green leaves, wild fruits and berries, meat
and ish that are locally important, nutritionally rich,
culturally accepted and environmentally resilient.
Therefore, a regional approach to food security
would ensure that food harvested in one area is
availed to areas of shortage or to areas that are out
of season. It would ensure that there is continuous
supply of food to the diferent areas in a region.
Figure 1: Food system activities and related outcomes
Source: Ericksen, P. J. (2008)
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 5
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 20116
Regional integration has helped solve food crises,
for example Malawi sells maize to Zimbabwe and
Mozambique, Kenya purchases excess maize from
Malawi or Zambia and Uganda sells food to the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and
South Sudan. Therefore any long term solution to
food insecurity should take an integrated longer
term regional food systems perspective.
Regional food systems and African regional
economic cooperation blocs
Africa’s regional economic communities include,
among others, the East African Community (EAC),
the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
(COMESA) and the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Central
African Economic and Monetary Community
(CEMAC). These blocs continue to inluence and
present notable opportunities for African food
systems, including:
ͻ Harnessing resources in support of long-term
connections in production, processing and
packaging, exchange and consumption of food
within and across regions.
ͻ Enactment of public policies that improve macro-
economic situations and better management of
public expenditure so that agricultural trade and
enterprises can gain.
ͻ Reductions in trade and non-trade barriers and improved infrastructural development for increased intra-regional trade and enhanced intra-boundary trade.
Regional bodies dealing with food
systems
Various bodies in Africa that deal speciically
with food systems at regional level include the
Africa-Union – Comprehensive Africa Agriculture
Development Programme (CAADP), the Alliance for
a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Forum
for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). At the
sub-regional level, the Association for Strengthening
Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central
Africa (ASARECA) and the East Africa Agricultural
Productivity Program (EAAPP), as well as the various
Eastern African farmers’ organisations and grain
marketing boards are good examples.
Regional eforts in dealing with food systems
also occur within the technical arms of regional
economic commissions that deal with food
issues. The New Economic Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD) provides the socio-economic
development framework for most of the on-going
eforts. These bodies seek to eliminate hunger and
reduce poverty by increasing public investment in
agriculture; by promotion of integrated programs
in good seeds and healthy soils; access to markets;
information; inancing; storage, transport; and
enabling policies.
In East African, these intentions are epitomized in
the East Africa Agricultural Productivity Program
(EAAPP). The EAAPP is designed to invest in
regional approaches that strengthen and scaling up
agricultural research in Eastern Africa focusing on
dairy, wheat, cassava and rice. Kenya was identiied
as the host for the dairy centre of excellence, Uganda
hosts the cassava centre of excellence while Tanzania
and Ethiopia host the rice and wheat centres,
respectively. The lead implementing agency for the
EAAPP is the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
(KARI).
Given the foregoing, long-term solutions to regional food crises fall along the following key axis:
ͻ Investing in regional Research and Development
(R&D) activities to develop innovations and
technologies that increase productivity and
Figure 2: Agro-ecological zones of Africa Source: http://www.fao.org/
DOCREP/005/Y4176E/y4176e00.jpg
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 7
are more resilient to climatic variability. In this
regard KARI provides best practices in regional
integration with its leadership of the EAAPP.
Regional integration and collaboration is also
exempliied by the on-going project, “Making
agri-food systems work for the rural poor in
Eastern and Southern Africa” funded by the
International Development Research Centre
(IDRC). In this project, seven organizations in
Kenya, Uganda and Malawi seek to stimulate
the adaptation of pro-poor agri-food system
innovations, with a focus on traditional crops
of high value, as a contribution to improving
food security and sustainable natural resources
management. KARI is one of these seven
organizations.
ͻ Enhanced integration of regional markets and
trade to facilitate distribution of food across
borders using guidelines by the Common Market
for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and
EAC on removing trade and non-trade barriers
and tarifs.
ͻ Harmonization and coordination of regional food
policies and responses to food crises. Regional
eforts in this regard are espoused by the Eastern
and Central Africa Programme for Agricultural
Policy Analysis (ECAPAPA) and the Regional
Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support
system (ReSAAKS).
ͻ Implementation of CAADP frameworks and plans
for countries to achieve the 10% budget share on
agriculture.
ͻ Regional initiatives for large public infrastructures
such as roads, rail ways and other communication
infrastructure.
ͻ Leadership and conlict prevention and resolution
as envisioned in the African Peer Review
Mechanism (APRM) and Intergovernmental
Authority on Development (IGAD) since most
countries afected by food insecurity are also
prone to conlicts.
On-going challenges and emerging
issues
The African food systems are characterized by
challenges and emerging issues that regional eforts
could resolve. These include:
ͻ Transformation of the food retail sector as
supermarkets become important outlets.
Supplying supermarkets presents both
opportunities and challenges for small scale
producers who have to grapple with added
investments and new practices in procurement,
quality and safety standards.
ͻ Increasing trends towards vertical integration
of agricultural produce supply chains where
cooperating irms control multiple steps along
the production chain. The milk supply chain in
Kenya is one such example.
ͻ Contractual arrangements in the vegetable,
legume and grain production systems. While such
systems beneit farmers by reducing the risk of
price luctuations they pose the risk of reducing
competition and limiting production choices for
farmers. In
ͻ Genetically Modiied Organisms (GMOs) in the
East African region require the development
of harmonized regional policies and common
position on biotechnology, as well as legal and
regulatory frameworks for food safety, trade,
environmental and public health issues.
About the author
Dr. Immaculate N. Maina is a Senior Research Oicer within the
Socio-economic and Applies Statistics Division of the Kenya
Agricultural Research Institute, Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Email: Immaculate.N.Maina@gmail.com / inmaina@kari.org
For more information: http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/publications/
downloads/ericksen07-foodsystems.pdf
http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/Y4176E/y4176e00.jpg
An abundant harvest: Good food systems facilitate fair distribution of food.
©ALIN
PROJECTFOCUS
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 20118
BAOBAB ISSUE 62, SEPTEMBER 2011 9
ADOPTION
Raises Food Production
©Charlie Pye-Sm
ith / World Agroforestry Centre.
in CAMEROON
of Agro-Forestry
Introduction of better yielding trees, particularly fruit trees and supporting farmers to practice agro-forestry more systematically has resulted
in better productivity among farmers in Cameroon, through support of
ICRAF. The range of trees intercropped with food crops has been increased through introduction of wild fruit
trees to agro-forestryBy Chris Mesiku
The World Agro-forestry Centre
(ICRAF) has been encouraged
by the ongoing positive reports
from rural farmers who can see
that the agro-forestry practices
they engage in resulting in an
improvement to their livelihoods.
One of the many beneiciaries is Cameroonian farmer
Christophe Missé who is now growing fruit trees on
his farm.
In 1999, Mr. Missé attended a training session held by
the World Agro-forestry Centre in Nkolfep, Cameroon
that he says changed his life. He learned techniques
for developing superior varieties of indigenous fruit
trees and now runs a nursery with his neighbours,
selling over 7,000 seedlings per year. He has also
planted hundreds of indigenous fruit trees on his
farm.
Mr. Missé discovered that the economic return
from his trees increase as the trees mature. This is
especially true for his indigenous fruit trees which
have been shown to not only produce a better yield
each per area when compared with non indigenous
species but are also more resilient to droughts.
Value for indegienous trees
In many rural settings where partial agro-forestry
systems have been in operation for many years,
ICRAF researchers focus on maximizing the
productivity of the already existing systems by
producing trees that compliment that diversity. This
is done by improving the germplasm (seeds and
seedlings) of certain trees to have desirable qualities
like improved nitrogen ixation for better soil fertility.
The work of utilising quality germplasm, maximising
farm productivity and improving the market access
of smallholder farmers is carried out by ICRAF’s
Global Research Project.
“We ask local people which indigenous trees they
value most and for what traits,” explained Zac
Tchoundjeu, co-leader of ICRAF’s Global Research
Project, commenting about the work of ICRAF’s
Tree Domestication and Agroforestry Germplasm.
“Best responses are by farmers with large, sweet
fruits grown on trees that mature quickly.” In
Cameroon, these species include bush mango
(Irvingia gabonensis), African plum (Dacryodes edulis),
African nut (Ricinodendron heudelotii) and Bitter kola
(Garcinia kola).
With the help of local farmers, agro-forestry scientists
have identiied and domesticated many varieties of
fruit trees found in forests. Tchoundjeu said “Diferent
trees of the same species can bear fruits that are
sweet or sour, large or small.” With availability of fruit
bearing trees that are economically competitive
Tchoundjeu added: “People become less dependent
on commodity markets, and they produce a crop
they can both eat and sell.”
The impact of growing trees
The money Christophe Missé has earned from
practising agro-forestry on his farm has contributed
signiicantly to his livelihood. “With the money have
made I have built a new house,” he said. “I can now
pay for two of my children to go to private school.”
However, without clear strategies for accessing
markets, Christophe Missé would have had minimum
gains from his fruit trees. ICRAF continuously
works to create mechanisms to help smallholders
access markets. Farmers who have quality forest
products that are in demand in the market place
help contribute to conservation. Like Missé, such
farmers can directly help shape land-use change in
many parts of Africa because as tree products like
medicines and oils are embraced by the broader
community, there is less dependence on traditional
cash crops often associated with farming practises
that are detrimental to ecosystems. Some of the
agro-forestry trees farmers grow can rehabilitate
degraded parts of Sub Saharan Africa by enhancing
the nutrient cycling and organic matter in the soils.
An important factor is access to water especially
during drought times. Some agro-forestry trees
planted by farmers can also improve the hydrology
of those farms making them less vulnerable to the
efects of extreme weather. With over 3,000 species
of wild fruits in Africa, local farmers can experiment
and pick the best trees for their soil type and region.
These species represent an enormously important
and largely untapped natural resource for food
security and ecological management.
When most of these species become competitive in
the market place and more farmers like Christophe
Massé embrace them, they will contribute
signiicantly to alleviating food insecurity, improve
environmental conservation and enhance adaptation
and resilience to climate change. These trees will
have transformed both the lives of rural farmers and
the landscapes on which they depend.
About the author
Chris Mesiku is the Associate Communication Specialist, World
Agroforestry Centre Nairobi.
Email: cmesiku@cgiar.org
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201110
SOARING
OF SWEET POTATO
POPULARITY
Demand for sweet potatoes in Kenya has soared as its popularity as a healthy food has grown. In some areas,
farmers are not able to meet demand and some are abandoning traditional staple crops to grow sweet potatoes.
This has in turn created more interest in the food crop among researchers to develop varieties that combine better nutritional
value with faster maturity and higher productivity.By Mwangi Mumero
IN K
ENYA
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 11
©Tony Kim
athi 2011
For Charles Muthike, a sweet potato farmer in Ndia Division in Kirinyaga County, demand for this versatile food cannot be met. “We have lorries and small traders trooping to our farms looking for ready sweet potatoes to buy and
sell to the swelling urban population. A large number of farmers in this area have switched from growing maize to fast moving sweet potatoes,” says Muthike, a father of three and a farmer at Karima, near the Nyeri - Nairobi Highway. A bag of sweet potatoes retails at Kshs. 4,500 (approximately US$50).
With rising shift toward more traditional foods and as lifestyle changes demand healthier eating habits the so called “orphan crops” such as sweet potatoes and yams have become a favourite for many health conscious urban Kenyans eager reduce consumption of “junk food.” While Central Kenya produces a small fraction of the sweet potatoes in the country, the main growing areas being western Kenya - mainly Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Rachuonyo and Kisii counties, land area under sweet potato has been increasing in some parts of the province.
Sweet potato is an important cash crop in Mosocho and Suneka divisions in Kisii County. In Kisii, a 90 kg bag of sweet potatoes sells at Kshs. 5,000 (about US$55). Over the years, acreage under sweet potatoes has been rising with average yield at about 10 tons per hectare. Sweet potato is adaptable to diferent agro-ecological zones ranging from 0 - 2100m above sea level. It is occasionally found in altitudes of about 2400m. It thrives at average temperatures above 24°C and abundant sunshine.
The sweet potato plant requires rainfall of 750 - 1000mm per annum and a moderate soil pH of 6.0 for optimum production. It also requires well drained soil to allow root development. The growing period for the crop is three to six months depending on the variety. However during the short rains, farmers prefer varieties maturing in three months and during the long rains those maturing in six months.
Land preparation
Land should be prepared to loosen the soil to make mounds of 80 cm by 30 cm and one to three vines planted per mould or on ridges of 90 – 150cm by 30 - 60cm along the ridges. Vines are used for establishment. The shoot should be cut 30cm from the growing point before planting. Cultivation of some of the newly introduced varieties currently under testing by the International Potato Center
(CIP) and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) has lead to higher yields.
Average per capita consumption of sweet potato in Kenya is about 24 kg per year with higher proportions consumed in the western parts of the country. The white skinned variety has desirable characteristics to both farmers and consumers. These include short maturity period – three to four months - high yields, moderate stability after harvesting - up to seven days - and an attractive yellow lesh.
The major disadvantage of the variety especially if grown for home consumption is that its quality deteriorates very fast when left un-harvested beyond one month after maturity. Another variety has a red skin and yellow lesh and matures within six to seven months after planting. After maturity the tubers can retain their quality for a further three to six months when left un-harvested. This variety is therefore suitable for cultivation for both home consumption and marketing as it can store relatively well after harvesting.
Nutritional value
Sweet potatoes, particularly the yellow leshed varieties, are good sources of vitamins. At the same time they yield more calories per acre than many other starchy foods. A comparison with other starchy food crops shows that sweet potato yields more calories per unit area than either maize or Irish potato and nearly as much as cassava and that its protein yield is far higher than the latter.
Despite the clear potential of the sweet potato in helping to meet its food needs, full exploitation of the crop is constrained by its bulkiness, perishable nature, low cost per unit sold, as well as low consumer acceptability. Consumers perceive it only as a snack and not as a main dish. This perception is an important barrier to increased sweet potato consumption and hence production. “Mostly, people buy potatoes to roast or boil and eat them as snacks. Few customers buy more than ive pieces at a time as they are not considered a full meal even at family level,” observes Alfayo Njeri, a trader at the Kibingoti market, located along the Nyeri - Nairobi highway.
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201112
high anthocyanin content - an antioxidant - in sweet potatoes prevents cancer and aging.
According to Dr. Ted Carey sweet potato breeder from Ghana ailiated with CIP, the anthocyanins in sweet potato are easily absorbed from the digestive
tract into the bloodstream, where they may have
beneicial efects. Currently, in addition to ield
testing, CIP scientists also do laboratory tests for
nutritional characteristics of these and other sweet
potato clones with an aim for future multiplication.
“We are evaluating nutritional components such as
beta-carotene, protein, starch and dry matter, and
also minerals and micronutrients such as iron, zinc,
and magnesium”, explains Genoveva Rossel, CIP’s
sweet potato germplasm collection curator.
About the writerThe writer is a freelance journalist. He can be reached through:
mwangimumero@gmail.com
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 13
At the market, groups of mainly women traders hawk all types of foods including fruits and sweet potatoes to the thousands of road users along the busy highway. At major Kenyan urban centres, traders roasting sweet potatoes alongside maize have become a common feature.
Antioxidants
On their part, researchers have upped the ante and identiied another milestone in the nutritive value of sweet potatoes –which are seen as an important food crop in semi-arid lands across the world. According to breeders at the International Potato Center (CIP) in San Ramon, Peru, the pigmentation of the purple leshed sweet potato varieties is due to the presence of anthocyanins. Studies from Kansas State University have revealed that two of these anthocyanins contain properties inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in the human colon. The
A farmer weeding sweet potatoes in Kabete, Kenya
OPENCOLUMN
As food security situation worsens
in East Africa, some smallholder
farmers in Western Kenya are still
feeding their families on maize
they harvested last year, thanks
to ongoing implementation
programme of research indings
to revive the fertility of soils in the region.
According to David Mbakaya, a soil scientist at the
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), early
indings from an ongoing research have so far
established that soils in Western Kenya have become
too acidic for maize production due to climatic factors
and overuse of nitrogenous fertilisers. “From ield
trials, we have discovered that the average Potential of
Leucaena pods.
Long term and repeated use of nitrogen based fertilizers in the maize growing zones of western Kenya has resulted in high soil acidity reducing farm yields for the crop. Recent introduction of the use
of lime to reduce soil acidity has resulted in dramatic improvement in maize yield.
By Isaiah Esipisu
SOIL LIMING IMpROVES
Maize Yield In Western Kenya
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201114
Hydrogen (pH) levels in soils within the region stands
at 4.5 – meaning that such soils can hardly support
maize growing,” said Mr. Mbakaya.
Scientiically, the neutral pH level is supposed to stand
at seven on the pH scale. At that level, it means that it
is neither acidic nor alkaline. Anything below seven is
acidic, and above that is alkaline. However, maize can
withstand mild soil acidity ranging from 6.5 to 5.5. But
this has to be controlled because alkaline soils that
measure anything beyond 7.5 on the pH scale will ruin
the crop as well.
The four major reasons as to why soils become acidic
include rainfall and leaching, use of acidic parent
material, organic matter decay, and harvest of high-
yielding crops.
Experts say that high soil acidity occurs when
ammonia based fertiliser materials are applied to the
soil. “In reality, nitrogen fertilizers increase soil acidity
by increasing crop yields. This happens when there
is an increase in the amount of basic elements being
removed from the soil as nutrients,” said Mbakaya.
Lime as a soil additive
To solve the situation, research scientists through
the KARI – Kakamega Branch with funding from the
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) are
encouraging farmers to neutralise their soils using
lime - a soil additive made from pulverized limestone
or chalk which is cheaply available in Kenya. “I have
tried liming my land for two seasons, and the results
are astounding,” said Isaac Ochieng Okwanyi, a 29 year
old father of two, who settled for farming after he was
evicted from Nairobi’s Mathare Slum in 2008 following
the post election violence in Kenya. “Just like any other
young man, I thought that working in the city was the
best way of earning a living. But after I lost everything
during the violence, I decided to stay back home and
try my luck in farming,” said Okwanyi who hails from
Nyangera village in Siaya County.
Using part of the six acres of land he inherited from his father, Okwanyi embarked on growing maize on three acres using the same phosphorous and ammonium fertilisers his parents had been using for years. “In that season, I harvested two 90 kilogramme bags of maize from each acre, half of which I sold since I needed some money, and the rest served as food for my family and my parents for three months,” he said.
Liming trials on farms
However, in 2009, his farm was selected for liming trials by the KARI team of researchers because of its easy accessibility by the researchers and other community members who might be keen to learn
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 15
Western Kenya is one of the regions in the country
with stable rainfall all round the year. But according to
Dr Marin Odendo, the Senior Research Oicer - Socio-
economics and Statistics Division at KARI, the region
imports food for six months every year.
“Most of the farmers in Kakamega are smallholder
farmers. Yet this should not be the case because there
is growing evidence that smallholder farmers hold key
to the world’s food security,” said Dr Odendo. But he is
conident that with the ongoing research, there will be
a huge increase in terms of harvest in the near future.
About the writerIsaiah Esipisu is a science writer based in Nairobi. E-mail:
esipisus@yahoo.com
Stories and Pictures by Isaiah Esipisu
from it. “I gave them a half an acre for trials. But the entire community including myself were very sceptical because we did not believe that what looked like cement (lime) could change anything,” said Okwanyi.
But upon harvesting in the trial phase, the
villagers got convinced that there was a
huge diference by looking at the results
from control lines (lines where lime was
not applied) and trial lines (where lime was
applied). As a result, in 2010 Okwanyi tried
liming on two acres of his land while at
the same time applying traditionally used
fertilisers. “Indeed, it rained as expected.
And from what I saw, I can attest that I
have never seen such a big harvest in this
community,” he said.
Improved yields
From each of the two acres, he harvested 16
bags, totalling 32 bags of maize from two
acres, which was far higher than the four
bags he had harvested from the same land
in the previous season. “The proof of my last
year’s harvest is evident. I have since moved
from a tiny grass thatched house to a nice
semi permanent house,” he said pointing to
a new house which he says he constructed
using proceeds from the harvest.
Together with ive other farmers who had
made huge harvests, the group created a
grain bank at the Sega market, where they
have been withdrawing small portions of
the grain for domestic use. “We created this
bank because of security reasons. With the
biting hunger at the moment, it is possible
for people to break into our semi permanent houses in
order to steal maize,” he said.
So far, he has two bags remaining for his domestic
consumption, while his next harvest – now on three
acres of land is only a few weeks away. “When we
started trials for liming in 2009, we had 44 farmers in
the program. But after the irst ield trial phase, the
number has grown to 5000, where 3000 are from
Northern Kakamega in Western Province and 2000
from Siaya both in Western Kenya.
However, before any farmer considers liming as an
option, it is important to have soil samples from their
farm tested in a certiied laboratory in order to analyse
the level of acidity, so as to determine the amount of
lime needed to neutralise it depending on the crop
they desire to grow.
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201116
ALIN scores a irst in winning coveted global accolade stamping its authority in pioneering the use of ICTs to empower remote arid lands communities with knowledge and information, transforming their livelihoods.
By Noah Lusaka
All-round excitement as ALIN wins
Global Knowledge Award
In a development that marked the global
recognition of the organisation’s work,
ALIN was declared the 2011 winner of the
prestigious and highly competitive Access
to Learning Award (ATLA) given annually
by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
(BMGF). The timing of the award was highly
signiicant for ALIN coming as it did at the time when
the organization was celebrating its 10th Anniversary
since it started operations in East Africa.
The Award was announced at an event held in San
Juan, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, August 16, 2011
during the International Federation of Library
Associations meeting at a ceremony presided over
by Deborah Jacobs, Director of the Global Libraries
initiative at the (BMGF). ALIN was recognised for
taking advantage of the beneits of ICTs to empower
arid lands communities by locating Maarifa
(Knowledge) centres in remote arid lands across
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 17
A joyous James Nguo, ALIN Regional Director,
holds the accolade aloft.
continued on p 20
STORKSTORY
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201118
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 19
East Africa and providing free access to information
resources, including the internet and library
resources. Communities that receive information
resources from ALIN have used them to initiate
local social enterprises that have improved their
livelihoods over the years.
This made ALIN to be the irst organisation in sub-
Saharan Africa to win the Award. On hand to receive
the accolade was Mr. James Nguo, the founding
Regional Director of ALIN. ATLA comes with a cash
prize of US$1,000,000 meant to help the recipient
organisation to scale up the winning concept in
order to impact a larger number of people.
Networking to transform communities’ lives
Speaking during the event, Mr. Nguo had this to say:
“We understand that each community we serve is
diferent, and each individual we serve is diferent.
Some communities need information about water
harvesting, while others are dealing with a particular
kind of pest. We have also found that while some
people have taken to computers and technology,
others prefer live demonstrations or lectures in their
native language.”
“Thousands of people in these remote communities
of Eastern Africa are improving their lives through
the information available at these centers” said
Deborah Jacobs, Director of the BMGF’s Global
Libraries initiative, at the award ceremony.
Co-Chair of the BMGF, Bill Gates Senior, while
congratulating ALIN for this award highlighted the
eforts made to providing access to information
resources that have transformed communities’
lives in marginal areas through the established 12
Maarifa (knowledge) centres. He also recognised the
multi-media approach in information capture and
dissemination by using online portals, magazines,
videos and direct presentations and exchanges
among communities.
Celebrating the Win in Kenya
In a follow up event held to share the news about
the big win in Kenya and to celebrate ALIN’s 10th
Anniversary held on September 1st 2011, more than
300 guests were in attendance representing diferent
partners and donor organisations.
They came together in recognition of ALIN having
facilitated networking and knowledge sharing
among infomediaries (extension workers) across
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In her keynote speech,
the Acting Regional Representative of The Ford
Foundation, Dr. Joyce Nyairo noted that ALIN had
distinguished itself as an innovator in the use of ICTs
to empower marginalized communities using the
unique concept of Maarifa centres. The Foundation
has been supporting ALIN’s innovation in the use of
ICTs among other elements of knowledge sharing.
Key ALIN milestones in the irst 10 years
◆ Establishment of ALIN regional headquarters
based at AAYMCA building, Nairobi Kenya.
◆ Establishment of twelve (12) Maarifa (knowledge)
centres (seven – Kenya, three – Uganda and two
Tanzania) and equipping them with ICT and
library resources.
◆ Establishment of three (3) Maarifa centres for
partners in Kenya and Uganda.
◆ Production of information products that include
34 editions of Baobab Magazine, eight Issues
of Joto Afrika brieings magazine, 22 video
clips, 10 diferent CD ROMs, 5 books numerous
posters and other information, education and
communication products.
◆ Pioneering use of ICTs in marginal areas starting
with digital satellite broadcasting, VSATs and
more.
◆ Working with over 60 youth volunteers in
marginal areas.
◆ Nomination the founding Director, Mr. James
Nguo, ALIN as an Ashoka fellow in April 2011
from p. 17
Women use iPods to view agriculture content at Mutomo Maarifa Centre
About the writer
The Writer is a Projects Manager at ALIN. He can be reached
through nlusaka@alin.net
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201120
© ALIN
TECHNICALNOTE
Indigenous Milk Preservation Technology Among the Kalenjin of Kenya
By Bett Kipsang
Kenya is famous for its world
conquering athletes who
traverse the globe bringing in
medals and cash prizes. The
Kalenjin community from the
Rift Valley is famous for giving
returning champions a drink of
traditionally fermented milk known as Mursik from
a colourful gourd or sotet. This article highlights the
process of making the nutricious Mursik.
Origin of Mursik
Mursik technology originates from the Kalenjin
community for whom milk is a staple diet. The
community developed the unique milk preservation
technology using indigenous tree species about 300
years ago. The technology evolved as a result of the
need to avoid wastage by preserving and storing
excess milk for use during the dry season.
Mursik preparation
Milk treatment is traditionally the preserve of
women; however men do sometimes practice the
art. Extreme care must be taken during the gourd
preparation and milk fermentation processes and
high hygiene standards must be observed to avoid
potential food poisoning.
Depending on the availability of milk, a large
quantity of Mursik can be prepared at once or
alternatively small quantities of milk can be poured
into a prepared gourd on a daily basis until it is full.
The fermented milk provides the culture for the new
milk and accelerates the process of fermentation.
The lavour of Mursik is determined by various factors
including the quality of milk used, technique of
cleaning the gourd, time taken before the milk is
served, and to some extent the tree species used to
treat the gourd. Factors determining the quality of a
cows’ milk include: stage of lactation; cow breed and;
the cow’s diet.
Materials and Tools for Making Mursik
• Gourd (preferably dry), fresh one can also do so
long as it is fully ripe.
• Sharp machete or large knife
• Palm tree branches
• Cow urine
• Clean water
• Dry ash
• A piece of cow hide
• Several dry sticks from a milk preserving tree
species (preferably Cassia didymobotrya)
• A bow shaped palm stick (sosiot) without bristles
• Fire
• Milk in a clean container with a lid
• Water
Steps in Making Mursik
1) preparing the gourd: Cut the top of the gourd
systemically using the machete or knife. Remove
the seeds and pour a mixture of water and ash
into the gourd. Cork the gourd and put it aside
for a few days. Pour out the water in readiness for
cleaning and treating the gourd.
2) Cleaning the gourd: Take some branches of
the palm tree and hit them on a irm surface
such as a tree trunk until the edges form brush
like bristles. Using the stif bristles remove the
inner lining of the new gourd in order to ensure
that the milk does not acquire the bitter taste of
the gourd. Pour some cow urine into the gourd
and put it aside for a few days for curing and
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 21
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201122
seasoning. Pour out the cow urine and use a bow
shaped palm stick (sosiot) to clean the gourd
again.
3) Treating the gourd: Take a few sticks from the
selected milk preserving tree species and burn
the tips them into charcoal. Put the burning
embers inside a clean and dry gourd, shaking it
to avoid burning. Using the bow shaped palm
stick grind the embers by pressing them against
the walls of the gourd using the sosiot in a
methodical, circular in and out movement of the
hand. Repeat the grinding movement until the
inside of the gourd is evenly covered with ine
dust. Pour out any large particles and excess coal
dust and allow the gourd to cool down.
4) preparing and treating the gourd lid: Prepare
a well designed, tightly itting lid for the gourd
using animal hide/skin. Test the lid to make sure
it its tightly into the mouth of the gourd. Treat
the inner side of the lid with charcoal dust using
the method for cleaning and treating the gourd.
5) Milking, boiling and cooling the milk: Milk the
cow and boil the fresh milk immediately. Cover
the boiled milk to avoid contamination and
allow it to cool down. Traditionally the cow was
milked directly into a treated gourd and the milk
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 23
would be mixed with some blood and stored in
a cool place to ripen. However this practice has
since ceased due to a change in lifestyles and
widespread awareness of the need to improve
hygiene standards.
6) Fermentation: Pour the cold boiled milk into
a treated gourd or sotet. Cork the gourd tightly
with the treated lid. Store the Mursik in a cool dry
place for about one week to allow it to ripen until
it achieves the consistency of sour milk.
7) Shaking and serving the Mursik: Shake the
Mursik well to ensure it has a smooth, uniform
consistency. After thorough shaking, good
quality Mursik is a clear liquid with a sharp taste
that is almost bitter in some cases, in which white
globules of butter loat. Systematic tapping on
the skin lid produces a popping sound, allowing
excess air to escape. Mursik is best taken during
the dry season or on a sunny day and served cold
with hot ugali, a Kenyan staple food made of
maize/corn lour, millet, sorghum, or a mixture of
diferent types of lour.
Milk treatment and Environmental
Conservation
The use of some tree species for milk preservation
and flavouring is part of indigenous knowledge
that also helps in conservation of biodiversity.
Cassia didymobotrya is native to Eastern Central
Africa and the most preferred tree species for milk
treatment.
Cassia didymobotrya is locally known by diferent
names, for example senetwet (Kipsigis); Inyumganai
(Kamba); Mwino (Kikuyu); Lubino (Luhya); Obino
(Luo); Osenetoi (Maasai) and ndimu or limau
(Swahili). The shrub grows well near cattle bomas
(sheds) especially near decomposed cow dung. It
prefers well-drained soils, can withstand occasional
drought and is propagated through seeds, which
readily germinate. Its leaves are evergreen with
elliptic to oval lealets and yellow ornamental
lowers, which appear for prolonged periods in warm
climates (Mureithi, 1997). Animals rarely feed on
cassia leaves; therefore it has a survival rate of almost
100 percent.
Other tree species used for milk
preservation
Other tree species used for Mursik preparation are:
Lantana kitu (Muokiot), Olea afrikana (Emitiot) Rhus
natalensis (Natal Rhus), Olea capensis, Acacia meansii
and Prunus africana’ among others.
Conclusion
Milk is a locally available and easily accessible commodity and value addition through the use of Mursik technology has proved highly successful. Adoption of Mursik technology by non-pastoralist communities has introduced the element of its commercialization as a viable source of income for livestock farmers.
As a valuable tree species Cassia didymobotrya
deserves the attention of researchers to ensure its conservation and to explore its anti-bacterial efects, among other useful characteristics. There is need to preserve gourd planting, cutting and cleaning technology since gourds are cheap and easily accessible, making them ideal storage containers for farmers.
About the writer
Bett Charles Kipsang is ALIN’s Field Oicer, Ng’arua Maarifa
Center. Tel: +254 720 857 718; Email: Bettsang@gmail.com or
Bettsang@gmail.com.
References:
1. Farmer initiated research and extension by william Mureithi.
2. Internet: http://www.plantzafrica.com
3. Personal observation and background knowledge.
GUESTCOLUMN
BAOBAB ISSUE 63 SEPTEMBER 201124
The Baobab’s Anthony Mugo spoke to Mr. David Nyantika, the National Training Coordinator of the National Agriculture and Livestock Extension Programme (NALEP) about government policies and plans to boost food security. The following are excerpts from that interview.
Extension Body Enhances
KENYA’S POTENTIAL
for Food Security
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 25
Knowing this, what are you in
government doing?
The Government has stepped up eforts to harness
the potential of ASALs by investing directly in water
harvesting starting with 30 of the old ASAL districts.
Other measures are pasture improvement and
promotion of alternative livelihoods such as bee
keeping, dairy goats and production of gums and
resins.
At the policy level, the continued holding of large
tracts of idle land by individuals has contributed
to reduced agricultural production in Kenya. As
such radical measures are required particularly
to bring about land consolidation through which
communities must be compelled to move to
concentrated settlement areas to free up land for
food production. This will require a determined and
focused reform of the land tenure system.
Recently the debate about genetically
modiied organisms (GMO) has arisen
with some supporting introduction of
GMOs while others are opposed. What
in your opinion is the issue with GMOs?
Personally and as a scientist, I support the use
of biotechnology to improve food production
and to bring about food security in Kenya.
Biotechnology, particularly conventional plant
and animal breeding, has been used in Kenya for
many years. In GMO technology manipulation is
done inside the cell to change gene sequences
and therefore alter the genetic codes of crops and
What does the National Agriculture
and Livestock Extension programme
(NALEp) do?
As a government programme, NALEP is funded
by the Government of Kenya with support from
Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
to facilitate extension services to the Kenyan public.
NALEP works on a premise of creating a platform for
eicient delivery of extension services and creating
demand for the services. We facilitate government
and other extension service providers to pass
available technical information to beneiciaries.
Demand for such services is higher than supply,
particularly as more inhabitants of arid and semi arid
lands (ASALs) take up agriculture.
Being aware of the critical role of agriculture and
livestock in food security, the government through
NALEP, is determined to use more innovative means
of supporting beneiciaries in production, value
addition and marketing of agricultural produce. For
example, we have been creating specialised groups
known as Commodity Interest Groups (CIGs) to help
beneiciaries produce, add value and market their
produce in a manner that maximises their returns.
A recent study conducted by Egerton University
indicated that NALEP’s intervention has resulted in
the improvement of production of maize by between
100 to 150 per cent in Nyanza and Coast Provinces.
Why then do we still have perennial
famines in Kenya?
We have not maximised the potential of food
production in the arid and semi arid lands (ASALs).
Surprisingly, all that is needed is water. ASALs
have richer soils, and due to higher prevailing
temperatures, crops mature faster and yield better
than they do in the high and mid rainfall areas of
east Africa. The other reason is that our farmers do
not use the recommended levels of fertilizer and
certiied seeds. Importantly, Kenyans have a very
limited choice of eating habits and seem to believe
that only a maize-based diet can sustain them. As
such, shortage of maize is perceived as famine even
if the country has adequate supply of alternatives
such as potatoes, cassava, sorghum, millet and
bananas. As a result of the high emphasis on maize
production, many areas which would otherwise
be most suitable for growing other crops such as
sorghum and millet are not optimally utilised. Other
reasons for perennial famine are poor infrastructure
for delivering agricultural produce to the market,
poor access to extension services and high cost of
inputs particularly fertiliser and certiied seeds.
(c)Tony Kim
athi 2011
A member of Gathia Youth group waters vegetables in Kabete, Kenya
animals. The body is programmed to digest and
process nutrients found in foods that humans and
animals consume. GMO has the ability to introduce
nutrients and chemical products that may be
“alien” and not be easily processed by humans or
animals. It is quite possible that the inability to
digest such nutrients could lead to their getting
deposited in body tissues with undesirable health
consequences. In some cases, such “foreign”
ingredients might trigger immune responses
leading to allergic reactions.
Many who are opposed to unplanned introduction
of GMO food are concerned about the fact that the
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS)
does not have the capacity to analyse GMOs from
other countries and inform consumers about
extra components that have been introduced
in GMOs. This denies the consumer the right
to make a choice about what they would be
consuming. I am aware that certain countries
produce GMO food purely for export. Do we have
the advanced facilities required for thorough and
conclusive testing of GMOs? To me the answer to
that question is in the negative. As a consumer
I have not seen the information I would need
from KEPHIS to enable me to feel comfortable
consuming GMO maize for example. Consumers
must have that information in order for them to
make informed choice as to whether or not to
consume GMOs.
Small scale farmers have been
described as the cornerstone of food
security in Kenya and possibly east
Africa, would you agree with this
position?
I would agree. However, I think there are a number
of policy and technical aspects that need to be
addressed in order to maximise crop and livestock
production by small scale farmers. For example,
it does not make sense to set aside one acre for
growing of tea if a farmer owns only two acres of
land. One acre of tea cannot produce enough green
leaf to make economic sense. In my view, small
holder farmers need to be supported with timely
and usable information and to be able to access
suicient inputs particularly appropriate seeds and
fertiliser. This support should be in form of small
loans that are payable with proceeds from their
farms.
Malawi provides a good example. Upon taking oice,
President Bingu wa Mutharika introduced the so
called “Magic Bag”. This was a package given to each
maize farmer containing, in suicient quantities,
high quality seed, fertiliser and a legume (nitrogen
ixing) crop seeds. The bags were given as grants
and farmers were expected to repay after harvesting
their maize crop. On its part, the Malawi government
committed to buy excess maize from the farmers.
Through this intervention, Malawi became a net
maize exporter.
Does the Government have a role in
linking farmers to markets?
I am a strong believer that access to market should
begin at the grassroots. Every county government
should have a well developed market infrastructure.
Farmers should begin by exploiting those markets
before going for distant and export markets. The
colonial government appears to have igured
that out because it required market centres to be
established within a given average distance from
neighbouring settlements.
County governments should also invest in small-
scale agriculture commodities processing of say
fruits to juices and bananas, potatoes and cassava
to crisps or even loor. This is beginning to happen
in some areas. A good example is the current
plan by the Government to set up a factory to
process rabbit meat at Thika. The Government
should enable more farmers to access greenhouse
technology in order to grow horticultural crops for
the export market. Country governments should
also undertake agricultural market surveys aimed
at informing farmers about agricultural products
that are in high demand at local and international
markets. Access to information provided by the
National Agriculture Farmers’ Information System
(NAFIS) should be broadened through the use of
modern ICTs.
In your opinion, is food security
afected by conlict?
Conlict afects all aspects of production and food
security is no exception. Whenever there are high
levels of poverty and food insecurity, conlict
becomes inevitable. More broadly, people do not
invest in places that that are unstable and where
future peace and tranquillity is unpredictable.
About the writer
Anthony Mugo is ALIN’s Programmes Director. E-mail: amugo@
alin.net
Mr. Nyantika is the training coordinator, National Agriculture and
Livestock Extension Programme (NALEP), Kenya ailiated to the
Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Visit http://
www.nalep.co.ke/
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201126
In 2011, one year into the implementation of ALIN Strategic Plan 2010 – 2015, a new phase known
as ALIN 3 has began. It coincides with the completion of the irst 10 years of ALIN’s work in East Africa
and looks to be a phase of great promise because of the numerous opportunities for information and
knowledge exchange made possible by new technologies.
Why ALIN 3!
ALIN 3 relects the phases that ALIN has undergone since 2000 when it started operations in East Africa. The irst
5 years were spent in setting up systems for the network and bringing the network closer to the people. The
following 5 years were spent on development of partnerships and testing technologies for information and knowledge
delivery. ALIN 3 will be based on the 3 pillars that will make knowledge work for the poor as explained below.
Enabling accessEnabling access will involve strengthening
the existing infrastructure made of
Maarifa centres as points of engagement
of communities and the technology
infrastructure constituting ICT equipment
and deployment of ield workers.
Knowledge creationCreating knowledge will involve interacting with
beneiciaries in the ield to better understand their
information needs and then ensuring that needed
information is provided in a timely manner and in formats
and languages that will make it usable. Best practices and
indigenous knowledge coming from communities will also
be captured and shared widely.
EmpowermentEmpowering communities will
involve working with arid lands
communities to facilitate them to
adopt agriculture, livestock and
natural resource management best
practices that will enable them to
maximise their production in a
sustainable manner.
What will change in ALIN 3?Information will be provided according to demand by users. ALIN will work more closely with other partners such as
those involved in civic education to support the holistic empowerment of arid lands communities and reduce their
marginalisation. There will be a more systematic and sustained extension support from Maarifa centres to increase
adoption of new agriculture and livestock rearing technologies and practices that enable arid lands communities to adapt
to climate change.
Here Comes ALIN 3 Strategy
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 27
How
to w
ater
IntroductionThe Baobab is a quarterly magazine that is
published in March, June, September and
December. Every issue has a theme that guides the
topic one can write on. Topics for 2011:
March: Youth & Farming
June: Trees & Farming
September: Regional Food Systems
December: Land Issues
How to WriteKnow what you are writing about in advance and think
clearly, carefully relecting on:
• WHATwastheinitialcontextandwhatwerethediiculties faced?
• WHATwerethereasonsfortheapproachtakentoimprove the situation?
• HOWdidtheygoaboutitandwhotooktheinitiative?
• WHENdidallthishappen,andtowhatextentwasthetiming important?
• WHAThappenedasaresult?
• WHYdiditworkoutasitdid?(Weappreciateopinions/analysis/conclusions relevant to ield level, as well as recommendations for policy makers).
• WHEREdidtheactiontakeplace?
please Ensure that You
1) Thoroughly read the call for articles and check that
the article its well with the theme being covered.
2) Explain any terms or ideas that may not be
understood in every part of the world.
3) Acknowledge all sources and references used.
4) Explain any abbreviations used.
Full editorial support is provided. As the articles go through a rigorous editorial process, authors are usually requested to provide additional information or clariications. We would therefore rather have too much information than too little in the irst draft!
Format
1. Articles should be about 700 to 1000 words (one,
two or three-page articles) and should be emailed
to baobab@alin.net or smwangi@alin.net as a word
document attachment.
2. Include no more than ive references. Each reference
should include title, year of publication, name of
author, and publisher.
3. Please provide a current contact address at the
bottom of the article. This will also be published in the
magazine. We would also appreciate a contact phone
number for our own use.
The editor reserves the right to decide whether or not
to publish an article or contribution after receipt of the
irst full draft. Articles that are accepted will be edited
to the Baobab house style and shortened if necessary.
Contributions edited in this way will be returned to
the authors for approval before publication. Articles
accepted for publication in the Baobab may be chosen
for translation in any of the six regional editions. We will
endeavour to inform authors if their article appears in
other editions.
photosPictures speak volumes. Two to four pictures relevant to
what you have written must accompany your article.
Illustrations, drawings, or maps are also welcomed. Please
provide the name of the photographer or artist. Please
ensure the photos or illustrations are of suitable quality.
Send the pictures as attachments in jpeg format of at least
300kb and above. Also remember to include a caption
outlining the people or activity in the picture.
Creative Commons LicensePlease note that we use the “Creative Commons License
Attribution non-commercial share alike 3.0 unported’’
policy regarding copyright. We encourage free and open
exchange of information. As such readers and authors are
encouraged to copy and circulate articles from the Baobab
quoting the source. In addition, this means that we may
use submitted photos or text in our other publications. We
will try to contact you and credit your work in accordance
with the license.
Baobab Magazine
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201128
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 29
Call for articlesCall for articles
The current and impending food
crises are increasing pressures
on the ownership of land and
its use for agriculture. What are
the implications of this for family
farmers? Land grabs cause large
scale migration, poverty and
conlict – not to mention environmental impacts.
Biodiversity decreases when small family farms are
replaced by mono-crops treated with pesticides and
fertilizers. Small-scale farmers have little power to
farm sustainably if they don’t have control over land:
secure access to land is a prerequisite for farmers to
invest in sustainable agriculture. Land grabs give rise
(directly or indirectly) to other issues, the rights of
pastoralists, ethnic or political conlicts, and can also
threaten protected areas.
The key question is: who has the rights to land, or to
determine what happens to it? In some countries,
the central government is the main decision making
authority over land issues, while in others this
control is delegated to local authorities, or traditional
leaders. Land policies can undermine collective land
management, as land is divided up and allocated to
individuals. Farmers are often excluded from land
planning processes: they are overruled by local
leaders or removed from their land without warning.
Also among farmers, some have more access to,
control over and rights to land than others. Minority
groups, for example, including the indigenous
population, often have less power over land. The
same is true in many societies for women, who have
less inluence when it comes to decision making and
ownership. How can (all) farmers be included in all
decision-making processes?
We will examine these issues exploring how farmers,
development organisations, researchers and policy
makers think about them and what lessons are to be
drawn from them.
We welcome articles on this topic including
pictures and suggestion of other people, experts or
organisations that can contribute for this Baobab.
Pictures must be 300KB and above and in jpeg
format.
Forward articles to the editor: amugo@alin.net by
November 31, 2011.
LAND SYSTEMS Impact on
small scale agriculture
Fruits and nuts species with potential for Tanzania
Fruits and nuts are essential in the diets of people all over the world. This handbook presents 40 indigenous and exotic species that have
untapped potential for increased production, trade and use. Although the species selection is based on
Tanzania, the content is relevant for the whole of eastern Africa.
The books focuses on commercial production rather than subsistence. It emphasizes techniques
to produce good quality fruits and nuts that can be sold and fetch good prices. It outlines techniques for
propagating and planting, gives options for processing produce of each species and tells how to deal with pests
and diseases.
The nutritional value of the species is well covered. This book is useful for extension agents and educational
institutions. It will also be of value for planners, project leaders, local leaders, commercial enterprises for anyone
wishing to promote increased production, sale and use of fruits and nuts.
Book Reviews
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 201130
The impacts of fodder trees on milk production and income among smallholder dairy farmers in East Africa and the role of research
This occasional paper series is meant to demonstrate the efects of fodder shrubs on milk production and their value at the household and regional level and the contribution of research towards strengthening the impact of fodder shrubs.
The study is a synthesis of previous studies related to dissemination, adoption and impact combined with two new analyses, one quantitatively measuring the impact of the shrubs and the other a qualitative analysis to better understand constraints on adoption and gender issues related to participation and control of beneits from fodder shrubs. Among the study indings are that fodder shrubs have been widely adopted in East Africa, by an estimated 205,000 smallholder dairy farmers by 2005.
Copies of the two publications can be obtained by contacting the communications unit
World Agroforestry CentreP.O. Box 30677 00100,Nairobi, Kenya.Tel: +254 207224000E-mail: icraf@cgiar.orgwww.worldagroforestry.org
BAOBAB ISSUE 63, SEPTEMBER 2011 31
From Our
Readers
Kindly visit www.alin.net and download a copy.
Editor
Dear Editor,Greetings from Matumaini. Thank you for your Interest in
our centre. With my neighbour who represents Matumaini
on the Agricultural committee in Molo, we are grateful
for receiving Baobab. At this time our special interest is in
drought resistant crops. I have lived in this area for many
years and it seems to be getting drier and drier. Most people
around here own or rent small plots of land usually under
half a hectare. Maize is the main crop grown with a small
amount of beans and potatoes. Do you please bear any
suggestions on what crop can do well in this area?
Thank you
Miss G. Scott Kellie (Founder)
Matumaini Rehabilitation Centre
p.O BOX 62-20106
MOLO
We would suggest you contact the local District Agriculture
Oicer of the area to recommend the right crops for the area.
Editor
Dear EditorI appreciate the great ideas we get from reading Baobab 62
on Trees and Farming I have liked the use of Prosopis tree
which has more beneits than I thought. In Magadi, we only
use it for animal feeding and rehabilitating saline areas. We
learned on other beneits people from Marigat are reaping
from the same resource and we recognize the need to apply
the same since we have more than enough trees and we also
need to control its spread.
Julius Kasifu
Tuko disabled coordinator, Magadi division Nguruman
maarifa centre.
Dear Editor,I have just read the June issue of the Baobab on Trees and
Farming and I found it to very interesting. I saw on the
section of themes that in the December edition you intend
to cover land issues. Depending on the angle that the issue
will take, I would wish to contribute an article. Kindly supply
me with the breakdown of this thematic area so that my
planned article can fall in line with the issue, because land is
a very wide subject area.
polycarp Otieno
part Time small scale farmer, Western Kenya
Dear Mr. Otieno
We are encouraged by your willingness to write an article
for the December issue of Baobab. Please refer to the Call for
Articles section of this issue for guidance in the areas of focus
for the articles. We will look forward to the article.
Editor
Dear Sir/Madam,I am an agricultural extension oicer tasked with
disseminating information to farmers and Farmer groups
in Loitokitok District in Kenya. I learnt about this magazine
from CTA’s Spore magazine No.153. Relevant information
on agricultural technologies, rural development, water,
agro forestry, livestock and any other extension related
information is very key to our career and would very
much be proud to associate with you in working together
to trickle down information to empower farmers. I
look forward to receiving the regular copies of Baobab
magazines. Thanks in advance.
Silas K. Kipng’etich
p.O. Box 50, 00209,
Loitokitok, Kenya
Dear Silas,
Thank for these encouraging comments and the good work
you are doing supporting farmers in Loitoktok. The easiest
way to get Baobab is through ALIN’s website www.alin.net.
We will also be happy to send you an electronic copy. You can
also obtain a free hard copy from our oices.
Editor
Dear Editor,I have seen the Baobab magazine information in the Spore
magazine of June - July No.153.
I have got an interest in it; I would like to apply for the
subscription.
Kindly send copies.
Myson S.Sobe
District Agricultural & Livestock Oice
Dear Myson
p.O. BOX 94,
MBOZI.
TANZANIA
Baobab is published by ALIN with support from ileia - The Centre for learning on sustainable agriculture. ALIN and ileia are members of AgriCultures, a
global network of organisations that share knowledge and provide information on small-scale, sustainable agriculture worldwide.
September 2011 was a sad month during which Arica and indeed the entire world lost an ardent crusader for environmental conservation as well as peace and winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize following the death of Prof. Wangari Maathai. We publish the quotes below in her memory.
“It’s really amazing. You plant a seed; it germinates and looking so fragile, and within a very short time it becomes a huge tree. It gives you shade and if it’s a fruit tree it gives you fruit… to build and transforms lives… We want to see many Africans planting trees. here is absolutely no excuse to stop desertiication because this is something that is doable and cheap.”
“he environment and the economy are really both two sides of the same coin. You cannot sustain the economy if you don’t take care of the environment because we know that the resources that we use whether it is oil, energy, land … all of these are the basis in which development happens. And development is what we say generates a good economy and puts money in our pockets. If we cannot sustain the environment, we cannot sustain ourselves.”
“It is evident that many wars are fought over resources which are now becoming increasingly scarce. If we conserved our resources better, ighting over them would not then occur…so, protecting the global environment is directly related to securing peace…those of us who understand the complex concept of the environment have the burden to act. We must not tire, we must not give up. We must persist.”
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