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TROPENTAG 2007:

 

 

 

An Inspiring Experience For  Africa and Necofa                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Samuel K. Muhunyu

Network For Ecofarming In

Africa (Necofa) Kenya.

P.O Box 819 Molo.

20106 Kenya

Tel. +254(051) 721048

Cell: +254 (722 647112

Email: necofakenya@yahoo.com

Website: www.necofa.org. / www.necofakenya.wordpress.com

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Tropentag is an international conference for Research on Food Security, Natural Resources Management and Rural Development. It started in 1999 and is held alternately by German Universities in collaboration with other German Organizations/Institutions engaged in Agriculture and Forestry in tropical countries. The event provides international platform for scientific exchange and interaction between students, scientists and development agents.

Tropentag 2007 was organized jointly by the Universities of Kassel and Gottigen and the theme  was:- Utilization of diversity in land use systems: Sustainable and organic approaches to meet  human needs” The event was held at the University of Kassel 9th-11th October, 2007 with several workshops and activities broken down in five broad subjects i.e. Resources use efficiency and diversity in agro ecosystems; Towards the Millenium development goals; innovation and adoption in agriculture and forestry; Diversity of land use and livelihood systems in the face of Global change; Ecosystem services in forest and agrarian landscapes; Current advances in analysis and modeling techniques and food production, food quality and food safety.

 

I was invited to participate in the event to make poster presentation on “NECOFA Kenya initiative to inculcate positive attitudes in the youth towards sustainable management of food Agriculture and environment” that I co-presented with Dr. Sahle Tesfai the international coordinator of necofa.

 

After the event, I participated in a meeting for Network for Ecofarming in Africa (NECOFA) that included representatives from Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Zambia. The meeting was chaired by the International Coordinator of NECOFA, Dr. Tesfai and graced with the presence of Mr. Hatmut Gast of InWEnt. After the meeting the Necofa team from Africa visited a company specializing in renewable energy (especially solar and wind) and a coffee roaster.

 

My involvement in the visit to Germany and participation in the inspiring events /activities was facilitated by the International Coordinator of Necofa, Dr. Sahle Tesfai and supported by Capacity Building International (InWEnt.). I therefore wish to register my appreciation and gratude to InWEnt for according me opportunity to participate in these events and activities

.

EXPERIENCE IN TROPENTAG

 

The lessons learned from the workshops that I participated in include:

 

a)      Workshop on “ Livestock and fodder production systems”

 Integrating green manure crops that provide animal fodder is a major intervention in soil fertility management, weed control food and nutrition security. Such intervention was carried out in Uganda and resulted in increased yields of milk for small-holder resource poor farmers in which they introduced lablab bean and nappier in forage.

 

 

 

 

However while the results were good and encouraging it was noted that testing legume/fodder  technologies with resource poor farmers is a big challenge because of their low literacy levels and limited exposure and it requires patience and institutional support. On the other hand it is quite positive since they end up owning the process / technology and the level of adoption is high.

 

 Integrating traditional systems of livestock management especially on fodder management with scientific research interventions in most cases have better results than either of them done independently.  The experience of the community especially in handling times of scarcity like feeding livestock during dry spells is very important.  This is recommendation and experience from Ethiopia where the scientists evaluated coping strategies for dairy farmers during dry period feeding and its relative effects on milk (and its derivatives) outputs.

 

Workshop on “Determinants of technology adoption and implementations for policy and program design”.

 

·        Adoption of organic farming technologies, especially on soil fertility enhancement, is dependent on several factors that include farmers’ perceptions, access or otherwise to credit facilities, on-farm and/or off-farm income sources and availability of extension services including farmer-to-farmer.  These were part of findings by a project in North Guinea, The balanced nutrient management systems (BNMS).

 

·        While fish is unavailable and/or unaffordable in most of sub-Saharan Africa, potential for fish farming abounds and there are sufficient wetlands on which to do it.  Farmers and community perception and attitude contribute to reduced level of adoption and avenues need to be identified for overcoming such barriers.  There is also need to develop country/community specific strategies for the promotion of this technology to make fish available and affordable to the community. 

 

Workshop on: “Sustainable development in practice-examples from GTZ’s project”

 

Ø      In its endeavor to promote sustainable development, German Development Cooperation interprates sustainable development as:-

 

§         Supporting sustainable economic growth in partner countries, in order to alleviate poverty and disparity (pro poor growth)

§         Ensuring equality of opportunity, between rich and poor, North and South, women and men

§         Utilizing natural resources for the benefit of humanity today such that they are preserved for future generations.

§         Sustainable solutions to complex development questions are not available off the rack.  This is why a mix of different types of interventions is used, including policy advisory services, technical and organizational consultancy, and financing.  German development cooperation operates with civil society, private sector, the population and other bilateral and international donors.

 

Ø      Sustainability has three dimensions ecological, economic and social that are intertwined and has international perspective.  In combating poverty, all three dimensions of sustainability have to be taken into account i.e. conservation of sound environment for future generations; global economic partnership to overcome dissemination between poor and rich countries; improving the social welfare of people especially on food and nutrition, health especially on food nutrition, health especially HIV/AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis.

            Sustainet, a “light house project” of the German Council for Sustainable Development in its efforts to contribute to the global challenges of combating poverty and assuring food security in rural areas focuses on:-

o       Creating awareness on errors in the so-called “Green Revolution.”  It highlights the misconception that Green Revolution can solve problems of food insecurity but has in fact only succeeded in contributing to the impoverishment of small farmers by trapping them in debt.

o       Enlightening communities on the danger posed by “Green gene” technology that is being promoted by transnational companies as “only-way” to abolish hunger.

 

NB/

After this wonderful presentation, Mr H. Gast of InWEnt took trouble to introduce the Necofa Kenya delegate to officials of Sustainet and its likely that Necofa Kenya will be integrated in the programme.

 

Workshop on “Research for development practitioners”

 

            The Kenyan delegate presented a poster on “Necofa Kenya initiative to inculcate positive attitudes in the youth towards Sustainable Management of food, agriculture and environment.”  The presentation dwelt on the experiences of Necofa Kenya with school garden projects in which the youth:-

v     Gain hands-on experience in organic food production and utilization

v     Multiply/bulk planting materials for the community

v     provide training/demonstration for fellow students, teachers and communities

v     Gain leadership and computer/internet skills.

 

By working with my colleagues and others who have had more experiences in

posters making and presentation, I gained additional knowledge and skills in this.

 

NECOFA MEETING.

 

            In the meeting the delegates from each country provided update/report on Necofa activities in their countries.  I was quite impressed with success of the Ethiopian chapter to market organic coffee and the stages they had gone through.  The Kenyan success in school gardens, marketing of Stinging Nettle (Urtica massaica) and Molo Lamb and wool projects were reported in the meeting.

 

 

            Mr. Gast of InWEnt explained that the agreement between InWEnt and Necofa at international level will end soon and emphasized need to explore avenues for sustainability of the organization.  The need for venturing into income generating activities as means of sustainability at national and international levels was once again agreed on and emphasized. 

            The meeting further agreed that neighbouring country chapters should forge collaboration and partnership and build on their synergies.  The cooperation in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) was sited as practical example of how the country chapters can benefit from one another.  The three states have held common training workshops and exchange visits for farmers, teachers and community leaders.  One such exchange visit will take place 2^nd- 8^th December in which 30 people (farmers, school garden teachers and Necofa staff) from Kenya will visit Uganda.

            To enhance and strategize better on such collaboration and partnership; it was agreed that each region of Africa propose a meeting for Necofa chapter leaders in neighbouring countries early in 2008.  For East Africa we intend to include representatives from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia and Burundi all of whom can travel by road or rail to meeting venue.  InWEnt will be approached to support the meetings but the concepts need to be submitted before end of the year.

 

VISITS AFTER TROPENTAG

(a)   Solar 23 and SMA Technologies

Solar 23 specializes in manufacture of converters for energy from renewable sources e.g. sun, wind, batteries and even grid.  It works closely with SMA Technologies that markets equipments and appliances world-wide including Africa.

Most rural areas in Africa are faced with challenges of power supply since the national grids are either far off or unaffordable.  The technologies presented during the visit are possible interventions for such problem and can actually trigger more sustainable growth and community development in the rural areas.  Necofa country chapters can even venture into marketing of such technology and equipment for both community development and own sustainability.  Some limitations though, include the fact that the companies are focusing on just a few countries (Kenya not included at least for time being) in Africa and the fact that for economics of scale it is important to sensitize a village and/or community rather than individual households.

 

(b)   Coffee Roasting.

We enjoyed an early morning train ride through rich country-side that took us

to a coffee roasting company.  The proprietor led us through the process of coffee roasting and the different products the company comes up with.  We also learned how they source their coffee though little is from Africa.  They don’t have “lines” for organic coffee yet, but the potential for the same is great.

 

            There is also potential for marketing Kenyan and Ethiopian coffee to the company but it requires elaborate organization and discussion.  It is yet another window for Necofa to venture in and benefit the farmers as well as enhancing its own sustainability and relevance in community development.

 

 

 

OTHER DELIBERATIONS

 

            Before leaving Germany I learned that nettle (Urticacea) and Kenyan neem infusions have found their way into market in the German market.  Necofa Kenya is already working with community groups on production, sustainable harvesting and marketing of nettle powder is Kenya since 2005.  Currently we handle about tones of dry powder annually.  Neem trees are quite abundant on the Kenya coast.  This is opportunity for Necofa Kenya that we will definitely follow up (not just for Germany but for other export market as well).

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

Once again I reiterate my gratitude to InWEnt and the International Coordinator for Necofa for granting me opportunity to participate in the visitation.

___________________________________________________________________________

 

A Report on International Conference – Tropentag 2007

By Asfaw Tihune

NECOFA – Ethiopia

 

Introduction

NECOFA – Ethiopia is an Ethiopian chapter of NECOFA International established in 1998 and sponsored by InWent. Initially operating as a professional association, the Network made a strategic change since the Kumasi Manifesto and currently engaged in the promotion of marketing of eco- products. In cooperation with Agricultural Output marketing Agency of Oromiyaa, a government institution of the largest Regional Government of Ethiopia, NECOFA – Ethiopia is coordinating and organizing 3864 smallholder coffee producers to convert their coffee farm in to organics. Accordingly, funding for a one-year pilot project was obtained from Oxfam GB and farmers organized under 146 Organic Coffee Market Groups are organically certified.

NECOFA – Ethiopia participated on Tropentag 2007 with two objectives. The first two of its members have to present posters on the occasion. Asfaw Tihune presented a case study poster on the topic “Organic coffee Production and sustainable agriculture” while Abera Tolera on “Influence of small scale irrigationo selected soil chemical properties”.

Second, a delegation of four members has to promote organic coffee from the project area. InWent sponsored the presenters of posters. The Limmuu Organic Coffee Initiative Project sponsored the other two participants – a private company and a government representative. Overall four NECOFA members participated on the Conference from Ethiopia.

The Conference

Tropentag 2007 was organized under the main title “Utilization of diversity in land use systems: Sustainable and organic approaches to meet human needs”. The title is divided in to six themes each of which is sub-divided in to five topics. Totally 23 oral presentations were conducted in plenary sessions. The conference organized 27 parallel guided poster sessions divided into 308 topics. There were about three pre-conference occasions, social evening, candle lighting ceremony and other programs conducted with relation to the conference. The plenary session under the title “Challenges and opportunities for development oriented research in the tropics”, which gave due emphasis to strengthening of development related research in the tropics and made a call to the Developed world and donors was the closing session of the conference.

Observations and   Experiences

As expected, the conference is one of the international forums on which experts all over the world could physically and spiritual meet and exchange experiences. The book of abstracts reads that more than 650 people from 68 countries have registered to participate on the conference. It merits the name a Global/International forum.

The focus of all the presentations bases on tropical agriculture, which shows the global concern for the smallholder farmers of the tropics. Research out puts and development project experiences with relevance to the socio-ecological life of rural people of the tropics attained focal discussion on the conference. Presentations and discussions covered all areas from production up to marketing, all issues and activities in between not over-jumped.

The conference, along with other issues, explicitly fostered that smallholder farmers of the tropics can achieve food security if they are able to utilize their competitive advantage of producing and marketing organic commodities. It is important for NECOFA – Ethiopia to participate on this conference and recognize that it is on a correct track of promoting organic/sustainable agriculture, and focus on marketing of these products.

Side by side with participation on the conference, promotion of Limmuu organic coffee took place. Contacts were made with roasters and importers. The delegates came to consensus with some of them to enter into marketing in the near future. Successful visit to Hagen Kafe is a good example of the mission.

The most fruitful and tangible achievement of this trip is the agreement obtained between NECOFA, Farm Organic International and SMA. Accordingly, SMA mandated the former two bodies to distribute its products in Ethiopia as its legal representatives.

With relevance to this advantage, both InWent who sponsored NECOFA-Ethiopia to participate on the Conference and NECOFA- International who facilitated conditions deserve due respect.

It is difficult, for me personally, to compare this conference with previous Tropentag conferences, since it is my first time to participate. Yet, the general coordination of the conference, especially at the opening ceremony, seems to be not well coordinated.

NECOFA – Ethiopia, on behalf of thousands of its farmer members, forwards its thanks to InWent for enabling the country network to exploit this occasion and also expects similar cooperation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report on Tropentag 2007; Utilisation of diversity in land use systems; Sustatinable and organic approaches to meet human needs.

By Peter Lusembo

 

The above conference was organised by the Universities of Kassel and Gottingen and held in Witzenhausen, 9-11 October, 2007.

 

Organisation

The Tropentag was supported by a number of Germany organisations, an indication of the excellent work done by the organisers to lobby for support. This did also depict the importance that the Germany society attaches to the outcome of Tropentag 2007 as a means of contributing to improving livelihood in the tropics and sub-tropics. Though the event was originally intended to provide fora for Tropical Agricultural practitioners to present research findings, Tropentag had evolved into a system for interaction of all stakeholders in agricultural development. This was evidenced by the cross section of people from all walks of life who attended Tropentag 20007.

 

Opening Session

In the opening plenary keynote presentation (The science of sustainable agriculture) it was emphasized that processes of adopting and adapting technologies in different areas, were as important as generating technologies themselves. Failure to adapt technologies was responsible for the many technologies that had remained on-the-shelf, since their generation. Free Trade Agreements were cited as not being favourable to the development of commercial farming by smallholder farmers in the tropics, because it exposes them to stiff competition from farmers in the developed countries. Implementation of the Agreements was also reported not to enhance crop bio-diversity. Although 90% of World Agriculture is devoted to monocrops, there is growing realisation of the importance of mixed cropping as a means towards maintaining crop bio-diversity and minimizing adverse effects associated with monocultures.

 

Selected Follow-up sessions

 

Organic agriculture

Organic agricultural production in a number of developing countries appears not to work for sustainability of the natural resources but is geared towards meeting the needs of the affluent, especially in the developed countries. In the discussions it also emerged that it would be vital if the Developed Countries made significant contribution to sustaining bio-diversity in developing countries. Sustainable agriculture tends to be expensive because usually yields from there are low yet developing countries are not yet able to go in for quality when they can hardly feed themselves. The other aspect that necessitates the intervention of developed countries is that global weather changes would affect all humanity irrespective of location on the globe.

 

Agroforestry and non-tree forest products

During this session I was greatly impressed by Benno Pokorny’s presentation that put the universal benefits of the Green Revolution to a balance, especially in regard to typically rural communities that cant afford to use high levels of inputs that are required to maximize benefits from varieties (Dwarf varieties of rice and maize) that were pivotal in the Green Revolution.

 

Research for development practitioners

The session touched on issues that have immediate application to the needs of smallholder farmers. Presentations and discussions highlighted the importance of all stakeholders playing a vital role in improving livelihood by enabling developed technologies to be used by intended beneficiaries. It also put emphasis on the need to make use of practices that have been used by certain communities over time and have proved to work. Members tended to agree to the suggestion that it is important to fully appreciate the processes that work, because, unlike practices that are usually site specific, processes can easily be scaled up. Traditional systems/practices can only work in static environments but we are in a constantly changing world, hence the need to keep modifying practices to fit the changing circumstances. My poster presentation under this session was well received as it provided possible links among R&D actors

 

Awards

The awarding ceremony of the Hans H Ruthenberg laureates (Ms Blen Beyene and Xenia Felice Van Edig) who worked on Traditional Leafy Vegetables for adaptation to stress and measurement of absolute poverty indicators among rural households, respectively, was inspiring. This posed a challenge to countries in the Developing World, which could adopt the approach for their staff, using and operating within available resources. A number of us resolved to adopt the approach and recognise selected staff working in our institutions, when they excel in their research endeavours.

 

NECOFA meeting

We had a meeting of all NECOFA members who either attended Tropentag 2007 or happened to be in Germany during the event. Members were reminded of the fact that the Network Secretariat is to provide minimal financial facilitation to member countries, which have to shoulder responsibility to move the network forward. The Coordination office of the Network would best be used to support applications soliciting for funds to implement NECOFA activities within member countries. The meeting agreed that there was need for regional groupings of the network in order to enhance cohesiveness of members. Hence, members from the East African region (including Zambia), proposed to meet early 2008 to develop a Strategic Plan that should be used in the next 5 years or so. The Secretariat promised to look for financial support for the event.

 

Post Tropentag activities

 

Thanks to Dr. Tesfai for organising visits to two organisations that are of direct relevance to the needs of smallholder farmers, especially in Africa.

 

SMA and Solar 23.

These organisations specialise in making inverters and solar panels. I was glad to learn that Solar 23 has a subsidiary in Uganda (UtraTec Ltd) that is already providing Solar Water Heaters to a number of rural communities in the country. The use of solar energy in a country like Uganda, which partly depends on oil to generate its electricity, is of paramount importance if the country has to stem its import bill for oil.

 

Coffee Roasters

 The establishment that roasts coffee was impressive where the Managing Director did practically know and every operation in the process of roasting and blending coffee procured from different parts of the World. We had high expectations for our colleagues from Ethiopia to clinch deals to export their organic coffee direct to this Coffee Roasting establishment. It was rather disappointing to learn that even if their coffee beans were of the highest quality it was not possible for them to export it to the company because it deals with established Cartels through which all their coffee imports must go through. However, this was a great opportunity to initiate contacts that can be developed further for future prospects.

 

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge the support of InWent that enabled me attend this important function which particularly benefited me through the numerous contacts I made with Tropentag 2007 delegates and those I met out of the event.  This support would not have materialised if it were not for Dr. Tesfai and Mr. Gast. Madam Baumann is also acknowledged for her role when Mr. Gast was on leave. I would also like to thank NECOFA members who attended the event and also those many people I interacted with directly or through their presentations.

What is New in Agricultural Research?

-         A Critical Review of the Tropentag 2007

in Witzenhausen

 

By HARTMUT GAST

 

Since 1996, the Centres for Agriculture in the Topics and Subtropics of the universities Hohenheim, Göttingen and the Humboldt University of Berlin are organizing a yearly conference called "Tropentag" to present and discuss recent findings of research in agriculture and rural development. Since than, other universities like the University of Kassel-Witzenhausen have joint in and the number of visitors, papers and posters presented has more than doubled. This time, about 600 scientists and some few practitioners from 72 countries gathered together in Witzenhausen, among them more than 100 scientists from developing countries, mostly sponsored by DAAD, but also by GTZ and InWEnt.

 

It was hard for most visitors to follow an unbroken threat according to own priorities, as the 129 papers and 310 posters presented were colourful and sometimes arbitrary put together in 29 thematic sessions, 6 sessions each at the same time. May be this was also a result of the conference title "Utilization of diversity in land use systems: Sustainable and organic approaches to meet human needs". The presentations were really diverse and there was no topic left out which moves the minds and hearts of agricultural researchers during the last two decades. It was hard to find out what is really new in agricultural research, and to detect some really practical findings that will help farmers and the rural poor to solve major problems.

 

Some good examples were presented, for .example a paper describing prevention methods how to safe the health of urban population in West Africa consuming vegetable grown under completely untreated waste water. As these communities cannot yet afford and maintain safe sewage plants, agronomists had to find a solution. More creatiove research based on urgent human needs is required.

 

As outsider of the research society it is hard to understand why the major challenge, the climate change, which will tremendously affect agricultural production in the tropics and subtropics during the next decades, just played a minor or nearly no role in the conference.

The climate change will force us to change complete production systems, to develop more resistant varieties against various evils, to observe and monitor changing ecosystems, and to develop different strategies in plant protection. Some contributions presented serve already this need, however, a strategy of the role of agricultural research how to overcome the challenge, is badly missing. In order to develop in time options and solutions for plant and animal production under changing climatic conditions, an improved and closer cooperation of agronomists with meteorologists and geographers is essential.

 

Agricultural research should contribute to sustainability with regard to food supply, environment and human needs. The fist day, a panel discussed the topic "Quantitative indicators of sustainability in land use systems". Unfortunately there was no result. The panellists and the audience agreed that indicators for unsustainability in land use can be found, but not for sustainability. The views and priorities of the different stake holders - producers, companies, politicians and the society as a whole - differ just too much.

 

It is a pity that the panellists and the audience did not consider better the key note address of Prof. Dr. Miguel Altieri from the University of California, who draw a clear vision of a sustainable agricultural development. He derived the current needs of agricultural research out of his view as long-term observer and guide of traditional small-scale farmers applying sustainable or organic production systems. He quoted that traditional farmers in Central America who practice a highly diversified system, were far less affected by the hurricane Mitch than conventional "modern" farmers. To overcome the challenges of climate change, we should learn more from these diversity farmers, he said. Prof. Altieri pledged to work closer with the farmers, to learn and to cooperate with them and to ask them which kind of support they need.

 

At the end of the conference, good news was spread. Representatives of the donors, amongst them DFG, DAAD, GTZ and Volkswagen Foundation, mentioned that funds designated to agricultural research may rise in future. This is very much needed - if used in the right way.

 

Hartmut Gast

InWEnt

Div. Rural Development, Food and Consumer Protection

___________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

NECOFA Presentation during

 

Deutscher Tropentag, October 9 - 11, 2007 in Witzenhausen

"Utilisation of diversity in land use systems:

Sustainable and organic approaches to meet human needs"

 

 

NECOFA KENYA INITIATIVE IN INCULCATING POSITIVE ATTITUDES IN THE YOUTH TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT.

 

by:

Mr. Samuel Muhunyu – Network for Ecofarming in Africa (NECOFA) Kenya

 

and

Dr. Sahle Tesfai – International Centre North South Dialogue (ICNSD),

                               NECOFA International Coordinator.

 

During:

Tropentag October 9-11, 2007 Witzenhausen – Germany

 

Network for Ecofarming in Africa (NECOFA) is a community based non-governmental organization promoting Ecofarming: Ecologically and Socially Sustainable Land Management.  NECOFA was founded in 1998 in Addis Ababa – Ethiopia and is currently active in 13 countries of Africa; Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Zambia, South Africa, Benin, Malawi, Namibia and Sudan. The organization has benefited from support by Capacity Building International (InWEnt) of Germany since its inception and has its International secretariate at International Centre North South Dialogue (ICND) – Germany.

NECOFA is committed to empowering communities to rediscover themselves and their rich social-cultural and agro-ecological heritage.  It endeavors to scale up and out positive values of sustainable development that is based on minimum external inputs and that enhances the communities pride, dignity and confidence.  This model of sustainable development puts man (and woman) at centre, respects biodiversity and lays strong foundation for the youth and future generations.

 

NECOFA VISION: To have efficient, profitable and ecologically sustainable

                                agriculture systems in Africa

NECOFA MISSION: To enhance community livelihoods through sustainable

                                  ecological farming:

 

Objectives of NECOFA:

• To provide a continuous platform for ecofarming experience exchange which promotes rapid diffusion of latest findings, information and news in research.
•  Development of strategies for ecofarming research, implementation and extension methodologies.
• To promote stable agro-ecosystems through use of local biological and technological resources.
• To promote gender equality and equity in Ecofarming.
• To access internal and external resources for the purpose of promoting ecofarming activities.
• To initiate ecofarming projects at community level.

 

In NEOFA we believe that to achieve sustainable development it is important to invest and integrate the youth in development initiatives and activities. 

 

            Agriculture employs over 60% of the Kenyan people and contributes about 70% to the G.D.P and yet it is not given sufficient emphasis in school curriculum.  About two-thirds of primary and secondary school youth drop out of school and go back to the rural areas unprepared for a career as small-scale farmers. Many of them immigrate to urban centers in search of employment thereby worsening the already bad unemployment situation. Many of them end up in crime and irresponsible social life that has led to an erosion of morality and HIV/AIDS. Those that remain in the rural areas practice poor management of the land and indulge in the destruction of natural resources and the environment, especially by cutting down trees for fuel (for sale in urban centers) in attempt to get  “quick” income.

 

Since early in 2006, the Network for Ecofarming in Africa (NECOFA) and the Slow Food Central Rift Convivium initiated a pilot project on school gardens in two primary schools in the Molo district. The schools are Michinda boys boarding primary school and Mukinyai primary school.  Michinda is boys’ only primary school with pupils with ages ranging between 6 and 14 years.  Mukinyai is a mixed school (boys and girls) serving a community faced by many financial difficulties and the pupils include several orphaned children, including by HIV/AIDS. 

 

In each there is a school garden in which the pupils gain hands-on experience in food production, environmental management and other crafts skills. They learn and practice ecologically sustainable organic farming. We are aware that many of these children will become farmers and therefore the experience they gain will form a basis for stable livelihood in their future. The project assists in marketing the products made by the pupils and therefore they are able to contribute (albeit in a small way) to their own upkeep and buying some basic schooling materials. 

 

The project prepares the youth to become conscientious food producers and/or to have conscientious selection and consumption of quality food and to respect biodiversity and food producers. 

 

The pupils lead community members in clean-up campaigns of homes, villages and urban centers. The school gardens are bulking (multiplication) for planting materials and learning (demonstration) centers for the community thereby building harmony and partnership between the schools and their immediate communities. 

The school children are involved in teaching fellow students, teachers and parents thereby building confidence and leadership skills in the growing youth. 

 

 

The project is founded on the 4-k club model in which the K’s represent Kiswahili words for:

x         Kuungana – coming together

x         Kufanya – to do (learning by doing)

x         Kusaidia – helping or assisting

x         Kenya – our mother land

 

The project has proved to be quite successful and the pupils are now learning skills on sharing/accessing information on the Internet; they have participated in several shows in the district in which they showcase their activities and achievements. This is a success story that we wish to replicate in other schools and districts. In each school the club has 50 members. The youth learn the philosophy of Slow Food whose pillars are “good,”  “fair” and “clean” food ( please see attached photos).

 

3. Objective and Goals of the Project

To inculcate positive values on food, agriculture and the environment in the growing youth

 

Specific Objectives

x         The youth are  prepared for a future as small-scale farmers and food consumers conscious of quality in food and respect for biodiversity

x         Providing hands – on learning experience in the youth

x         The school gardens are learning/demonstration centre for sustainable organic farming and multiplication/bulking of planting materials and small livestock for the community

x         The school gardens supplement the school feeding programme

x         The youth sensitize and participate with the community in environmental cleanliness and management.

x         Providing the youth with a platform for information access and sharing locally and internationally

 

Project Outputs

4-K club members and other members of the schools undergo different forms of trainings in schools and outside. 

 

Training

The trainings include:

 

 

x         Participatory skills demonstrations facilitated by NECOFA and other collaborators

x         Demonstration organized and conducted by 4-k club members targeting other school  children, teachers and parents

x         Tours and exchange visits

x         Participation in agricultural shows

 

Information Access and Sharing

The club members and indeed other interested pupils in target schools and even others have opportunity to access information and share with others locally and internationally. through

x         Newsletter: The project publishes a quarterly newsletter that is circulated in primary and secondary schools in Molo and Kibwezi districts.  Club members, teachers and other students are encouraged to generate articles for publication in this newsletter.

x         Internet: Club members have one-week holiday camping during school holidays of April and August (twice a year) in Molo during which they learn more about food and are also be exposed  to the use of Internet in information sharing and exchange. 

 

Competitions

Every year the club members are asked and encouraged to participate in award winning competitions related to food, environment and community development.  This takes the shape of written essays and art.  Club members enter for competition individually, as groups or even entire club.  Schools also compete especially in their contribution(s) to food and nutrition security and community development. 

 

Participation in Environmental and Clean-Up Campaigns

In each school term the 4-k club members lead and participate with community members in cleaning up exercises and tree planting.

 

Guiding Principles in Project Implementation

 NECOFA considers the principles below to be fundamental in ensuring that the project and its activities are effective and sustainable. 

 

x         Undertake activities that are easily replicated in other schools and at home.

x         Emphasizes use of locally available materials

x         Undertake activities that quickly become self sustaining. 

x         Cooperation with local and international organizations/institutions including government departments, cooperatives and NGO

x         Understanding that the current generation is utilizing and managing natural resources and biodiversity on behalf of the youth and future generations.

x         Knowledge that the values we learn when young persist-on even in adulthood and investing in the youth is investing in prosperity and sustainability. 

 

 

CONCLUSSION

Considering our experience and the success achieved in the project, NECOFA wishes to replicate the project in other schools in the district and in other districts.  We invite well-wishers to join us in this venture.

 

 

 

 

 

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