FRN-NGO in Kenya: Collaborating NGOs for multi-environment trials
This solution addresses generating agro-ecological options for a broad range of contexts in Western Kenya for farmers, NGOs,extension officers...
Problem Description
Farmers live in varied contexts, yet most agriculture research averages experimental data, often from research stations with conditions that are very different from farmers' fields, and produces general one-size-fits all recomendations. Multi-environment trials is a methodology that allows for experimentation across hundreds of farmers fields to reveal patterns of what options work in what agroecological and socio-economic contexts.Building Blocks
Story
This project brings together five NGOs in Western Kenya under the umbrella of AGRISS. This region has highly variable landscape and rainfall, is very dependent on farming, and is currently experiencing changing, less predictable weather patterns. This has resulted in higher prices for maize and decreased food security, among other things. Although finger millet and sorghum are traditional crops, and remain culturally important for significant rites of passage (such as weddings and circumcision rituals), they had become scarce the region, and what remained was limited to a small number of varieties.
In the first year of the FRN, farmer groups did experiments on storage pest control. In years 2 and 3 they have been doing sorghum variety trials, and in year 3 they have added research on striga management. Farmers and field officers collect data which is brought together across all groups, making it possible to compare findings from different social and bio-physical contexts.
Sustainable Development Goals
On September 25th 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. This solution covers the following goals:
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Organisations Involved
Contributed By
- Beth Medvecky, Cornell
- Daniel Nyambok, Agriculture Improvement Support Services (AGRISS)
Solution Stage
One of the 7 stages of an innovation. Learn more
| STAGE | SPECIALIST SKILLS REQUIRED | EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES | RISK LEVEL AND HANDLING | FINANCE REQUIRED | KINDS OF EVIDENCE GENERATED | GOAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Making the case4 | Business development and evaluation |
|
MEDIUM |
MEDIUM | A stronger case with cost and benefit projections developed through practical trials and experiments, involving potential users | Clarity about what warrants implementation and funding |
Submitted By
Daniel NyambokKey Details
Sustainable Development Goals