FARMKENYA INITIATIVE
Smart Harvest
By Kepher Otieno | February 16th 2021 at 12:00:00 GMT +0300
For years farmers with degraded soils in Nyanza have had to rely on fertiliser from the shops to boost their soil health or nutrients. But now farmer Sophia Akelo says they have discovered that the mucuna bean or velvetbean, can be used as green manure to help rebuild soils nutrients quickly. [Kepher Otieno, Standard]
When The Smart Harvest and Technology team visits, Sophia Akello is busy weeding in her farm in Chiga, Kibos village in Kisumu County. She grows Velvet bean, (scientifically known as Mucuna Pruriens) alongside arrow roots.
Create business opportunities for farmers - Syngenta chief
Market
By Jael Mboga | February 12th 2021 at 04:20:00 GMT +0300
Syngenta Foundation regional director for East Africa George Osure at the KALRO headquarters on February 12, 2021.
There is a need for organisations in the agriculture sector to create business opportunities for farmers.
Syngenta Foundation regional director for East Africa George Osure on Thursday said farmers too need links on business, something only attainable if quality information is available. One of the biggest ideas that have not been effectively exploited is an opportunity created by the research system for business.
Syngenta works with banks and people that provide credit. Although it is risky to lend to agriculture, the risk has been lowered a lot by the government because today, one can take a loan with no security.
Kenya seeks Sh656m for potato seed study
Tuesday February 09 2021
By GERALD ANDAE
Summary
Kenya has applied for a Sh656 million grant from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to boost research on potato seed production and cut reliance on imports.
The fund will be used to increase the availability of certified seed in the country and cut the imports of tubers, which has been blamed for introducing foreign pests in the country.
Kenya has applied for a Sh656 million grant from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to boost research on potato seed production and cut reliance on imports.
Mkulima Expo 2021: Resilience in agriculture amid Covid-19
Market
By Kennedy Ouma | February 7th 2021 at 12:38:11 GMT +0300
Standard Group and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) have partnered to promote good agricultural practices through various platforms including events.
In this regard, the two organizations have set up a semi-virtual edition of the Annual Mkulima Expo due to Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings.
Standard Media Group has committed to impacting farming communities in Kenya through its 360° media strength.
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The company created Farm Kenya Initiative under Corporate Affairs Department to coordinate all agriculture related products and activities.
Some of these include a weekly pullout on Saturday Standard dubbed Smart Harvest and Technology, a 24-hour Agribusiness TV station (KTN Farmers TV), Agri-based events such as FarmKenya Connect, FarmKenya Breakfast and Annual Farmers Expo dubbed Mkulima Expo and digit
The United Nations (UN) Food and Agricultural Organisation, FAO, estimates that Africa loses at least 4 billion dollar’s worth of its total food production to post harvest losses.