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COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Planning committee members were drawn from various organizations
as follows:
Sugar Research Institute
Ministry Agriculture, Migori county
Farmers Representative
Sony Sugar Company
Sukari Ndhiwa sugar
Yacreh Organization
REGIONAL OPEN DAY
SRI-OPAPO CENTRE, MIGORI COUNTY
18TH
FEBRUARY 2016
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Introduction
The Sugar Research Institute (SRI) under the Kenya Agricultural
and Livestock Research
Organization (KALRO) embraces open days as a dissemination tool
to reach out its
stakeholders within the sugar industry. This year’s regional
open day was organized at one of
the SRI’s centre in Opapo. The centre is within Rongo District,
Kamagambo Division, Migori
County, it serves as a wider region in terms of bridging
knowledge gaps in sugarcane
production technologies, and this is one area where sugarcane is
the main cash crop. In view
of this there was need to educate the local community and
farmers on sugarcane production
technologies and best management practices, for increased yields
and wealth creation.
SRI organized for the open day that was held on 18th
February 2016 at SRI Opapo centre, the
theme of the day was "Enhancing Research and Technology for
increased Sugarcane
Productivity and Wealth Creation".
The occasion was graced by the Governor Hon. Okoth Obado of
Migori County. Other guests
included;
1. Deputy Director General, Director of Crops, KALRO 2.
Institute Director, Sugar Research 3. Institute Director, Tea
Research 4. Centre Director, Sugar Research 5. Centre Director,
Food Crops, Kitale 6. Head of Technology Transfer, SRI 7. Sugar
Directorate- AFFA 8. Managing Director, Sony Sugar 9. Principal
Rongo University 10. Ministry Agriculture, Migori county 11. CEC,
Agriculture, Migori county 12. County Commissioner, Migori county
13. County Administrator, Migori county 14. Director of
Agriculture, Migori county
Stakeholders
The following stakeholders from within the county were invited
to exhibit their products
during the function:
1. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate services (KEPHIS) 2. Pest
Control Products Board (PCPB) 3. Sony sugar company 4. Ministry of
Agriculture, Migori county 5. Yacreh Organization 6. Rabbit farming
7. Seedco supply 8. Agape Amaranth processors 9. Kipiem Cassava-
value addition 10. Greenlife 11. Crop protection Africa, chemicals
12. Joromi Agencies, energy saving jikos 13. The County government
of Migori
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14. Kenya Commercial bank 15. Dynapharm Kenya, Organo
supplements 16. Health Freedom 17.
Technologies demonstrated
The technologies that have been generated by the institute were
displayed as follows:
Economic aspects in farming Cost Benefit Analysis
Enterprise Selection
Sugar web database
Agronomic Practices Land preparation
Planting methods
Fertilizer application
Enterprise diversification
Harvesting techniques
Ratoon management
Breeding Aspects Sugarcane varieties
Hybridization process
Analytical services Soil sampling and analysis
Laboratory procedures
Sucrose based payments
Agricultural Engineering Soil and water conservation
Irrigation and Drainage
Environmental aspects (Tree cover)
Crop Protection Sugarcane pests, diseases and their control
measures
Sugarcane weeds
Cross cutting issues HIV & AIDS
Alcohol & Drug Abuse
Gender issues
Recommendations
More farmers’ education required in the area
New varieties to be made readily available
Establishment of demonstration plots
Conclusion
The open day was a successful and farmers were empowered with
more knowledge
concerning best sugarcane production technologies with the
county.
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PICTORIALS
SRI – Centre Opapo
SRI, Institute Director receiving The Governor Migori
county
EU Administrator receiving the Governor
Field tour to SRI sugarcane farms
Sugarcane varieties
Pests and Diseases stand
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Stakeholders stand
Stakeholders stand
TECHNOLOGIES DISPLAYED
Sugarcane varieties
Soil sampling
Land Preparation
Planting techniques
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Sugarcane Pest, Diseases and their control
Cane harvesting methods
Agro-Forestry section
Registration of Farmers
Farmers getting education
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SRI Technician educating farmers on Fertilizer
application rates
SRI Technician educating farmers on cane harvesting
techniques
A section of farmers during address
Report compiled by:
Lillian Odongo
ICT Documentation
SRI Institute Director General Addressing farmers
KALRO -Deputy Director General Addressing farmers
The Governor Migori county addressing farmers