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< Forthcoming events in 2007

December 2006 Issue 5 MORE NEWS, MORE REVIEWS

4Focus on MATF’s participation in agricultural

shows: Arusha, Mombasa and Nairobi

4NADIFA: Round 1 Extension Project

MAENDELEO AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FUND

Improving farmers’ incomes through Epuripur sorghumSpotlight on Caritas Tororo, Uganda

December 2006

Editorial

2 MATF Newsletter

The Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF)

is a regional initiative established in 2002 with joint funding from

The Rockefeller Foundation and The Gatsby Charitable Foundation (UK), which has

been supporting through The Kilimo Trust since 2005.

It is managed by the Food and Agricultural Research Management - (FARM) Africa.

MATF aims to improve the livelihoods of farming

communities in East Africa

by identifying and facilitating innovative ways of technology transfer, adoption

and improved productivity

through competitive grants.

The MATF Team

Project Offi cerMONICAH NYANG’

Monitoring Offi cerCHRIS WEBO

Finance Offi cerHUDSON KERAITA

Communication and Documentation Offi cerDANCAN MUHINDI

AdministrationFATUMA BUKE

DriverSTEVE KARUMA

Compilation, design and layoutDANCAN MUHINDI

Offi cesStudio House, 4th Floor

Argwings Kodhek Road, HurlinghamP.O. Box 49502 - 00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254 20 2731664/2044/2203 Fax: +254 20 2732086Email: info@maendeleo-atf.org

Web: www.maendeleo-atf.org | www.farmafrica.org.uk

© FARM-Africa 2006

MATF IS MANAGED BY

MAENDELEO AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FUND

The second half of 2006 was marked by lots of activities for MATF. This is the period that saw the fund showcase its work, for the fi rst time since it was established in 2002. A few selected projects took part in various agricultural

exhibitions, highlighting the diversity of technologies promoted by the MATF initiative. MATF has over the last four years funded 51 projects across East Africa, which are disseminating a variety of improved technologies to smallholder farmers by innovatively combining a variety of methods and approaches.

In the fi fth issue of the MATF newsletter, we share our successful participation in three regional agricultural shows. These were the Arusha national show, Mombasa international show and Nairobi international trade fair. These shows went a long way in exhibiting some of the interesting technologies funded by MATF. For the projects that took part in the shows, it was a wonderful opportunity to share their projects with a bigger audience, reach out to potential niche markets and establish useful linkages with like-minded partners.

This edition for the fi rst time, gives readers a glimpse of the eminent people behind the successful strategic direction MATF has taken since inception. These are the MATF Advisory Panel (AP) members, who are agricultural experts drawn from across

East Africa. They are profi led through two pages of this newsletter with a special remembrance of the late Eng Kaima Meya, an AP member who served with dedication until his untimely demise in September 2006.

Our project spotlight features Caritas Tororo’s work in Pallisa district of Uganda. A completed Round 3 project, it addresses the challenges of food insecurity due to poor agricultural practices, shortage of improved seed varieties and out of reach distribution system. Read how the grantee overcame this through the introduction of improved Epuripur sorghum varieties in the district, and eventually establishing a market outlet through a partnership with Nile Breweries Limited.

We continue our coverage of extension phase projects from the Round 1 in this edition. We take a look at the progress of the Nakasongola District Farmers’ Association (NADIFA) and its cassava project during its one-year extension. We highlight how NADIFA continues to build on the remarkable increase in productivity over the last four years, and its plans to promote cassava utilisation through establishment of a cassava processing plant.

The second half of 2006 saw FARM-Africa Kenya staff bid their warm goodbyes to the hardworking MATF pioneer fund manager, Dr Lydia Kimenye. An agriculturist with over 20 years experience from the University of Nairobi, Dr Kimenye had steered MATF from its inception in 2002 with exemplary dedication to see it grow into a successful grant-making institution. She takes this expertise to the Kampala-based Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), where she’ll be responsible for technology uptake.

This edition also contains updates on other events in the MATF calendar such as the call for Round 5 concept notes, which took place in December 2006. These will be considered for the proposal writing stage during the fi rst quarter of 2007. The fund management will notify successful short-listed applicants. Various events planned for 2007 are also highlighted.

We invite your comments and views on the newsletter. For more information and updates, please visit our website at www.maendeleo-atf.org.

Monicah Nyang’ MATF Project Offi cer

4 MATF at the Arusha nane nane show

MATF made its fi rst appearance at the Arusha National Agricultural Show (dubbed the nane nane show) from the 1st to 8th August 2006. Under the FARM-Africa Tanzania exhibition pavilion, MATF showcased one of its innovative projects from the Round 4 selection.

6 MATF at the Mombasa international show

The Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa, a popular tourist destination in the international travel circuit, recently attracted a slightly different calibre of visitors to its world renowned shores. They had come to attend the annual International agricultural show, organised by the Mombasa branch of the Agricultural Society of Kenya

8 MATF in pictures

This edition features a two-page profi le of MATF Advisory panel members. Read more about the people behind MATF’s strategic direction since inception.

10 MATF at the Nairobi international trade fair

The 2006 Nairobi International Trade Fair managed to attract over 300 exhibitors, according to fi gures released by the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Nairobi branch offi ces. From the 2nd to 8th October 2006, over half a million people visited the stands of various exhibitors at the Jamhuri Show grounds.FARM-Africa Kenya participated for thesecond time in a row.

13 NADIFA’s extension project The Nakasongola District Farmers Association (NADIFA) received funding to promote the cassava varieties resistant to the African mosaic virus. Now in its extension phase, the project builds on the remarkable improvement in productivity over the last four years. Read more about the project.

14 Updates

< Farewell to MATF pioneer Fund Manager, Dr Lydia Kimenye< Round 5 call for Concept notes < Proposal development for future MATF and Round 5 Forthcoming events

< Proposal development for shortlisted Round 5 projects’ applicants < MATF Strategy meeting< Impact studies on MATF projects< MATF participation in regional agricultural shows< Evaluation of Round 4 projects< Fourth Grantholders’ experience-sharing workshop

10

December 2006 3

Contents : Issue 5

12 Project featureSpotlight on Caritas Tororo, UgandaPallisa is one of the poorest districts in Eastern Uganda with a poverty index of over 56 percent. It also experiences intermittent food insecurity due to poor agricultural practices, shortage of improved seed varieties and out of reach distribution system. Read how Caritas Tororo, a local NGO and an MATF Round 3 grantee introduced improved sorghum varieties to address these problems.

4

6

13

4 MATF Newsletter

MATF makes its debut at the

Arusha ‘nane nane’ show

MATF attends regional shows

The Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF) made its first appearance at the Arusha National

Agricultural Show (dubbed the Nane Nane show) from the 1st - 8th August 2006. Under the FARM-Africa Tanzania exhibition pavilion, MATF showcased one of its innovative projects from the Round 4 selection.

This was the oyster mushroom cultivation technology implemented by the horticultural research institute, Tengeru (Horti-tengeru). Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Joseph Mungai, officially opened the Show on the 1st of August 2006.

Other than MATF, the FARM-Africa show pavilion also featured the following projects: Northern Tanzania Pastoralists Project (NTPP); Agricultural and Environmental Education Project (AEEP); Nou Joint Forest Management Project (NJFMP); Babati Farmers Participatory Research Project (FPRP); and Agricultural Marketing Systems Development Project (AMSDP).

MATF was represented by its Administration Officer Fatuma Buke and Communication Officer, Dancan Muhindi. Two beneficiary farmers working with Horti-Tengeru from Hai District, Mr. Gadiel Munisi, a member of the Jikomboe mushroom group and Ms Saumu Swai, a

Tasting mushrooms: Mr. Gadiel Munisi, a mushroom farmer from Hai district, giving high school students from Arusha a taste of the ready mushroom stew.

Trainer of Trainers (ToT) and a member of the Mshikamano mushroom group, did an excellent job of educating tent visitors about the oyster mushroom cultivation technology through demonstrations.

Horti-Tengeru’s officer, Nancy Kaaya also joined them to explain further the ongoing work in Hai district with its partners on training the farmers and identifying markets for the mushrooms.

Show visitorsThe pavilion took in a large number of visitors from various economic sectors across the country ranging from rural small-scale farmers, business people, high ranking officials from both NGOs and Government affiliated agencies including Ministries, some of which were also exhibiting, to high school and college students.

The show provided an excellent forum to interact directly with these

groups about the work of MATF, not only the exhibited projects, but also the diverse portfolio of 51 funded MATF projects across East Africa. Reading material such as brochures and newsletters where also distributed to fully explain the background and ongoing work of MATF.

Activities at the showThe oyster mushrooms cultivation technology was exhibited using a wide wooden cabinet with a glass partition. Growing oyster mushrooms could be seen through this glass partition and this was aptly introduced to pavilion visitors as “Shamba la Uyoga” (Swahili for mushroom farm).

The top of this wooden cabinet formed an ideal platform for the mushroom products such as “Achali ya Uyoga” (Swahili for mushroom pickle) and the “Uyoga mkavu” (Swahili for dried mushrooms). These products turned out to be very popular with the show visitors, with many purchasing the two varieties.

Ms Saumu Swai, demonstrated various recipes on the preparation of fresh mushroom. Many visitors watched her cooking mushrooms through frying and stewing them and tasted the end product of her culinary skills. This helped to create more awareness about the high nutritional value of the mushrooms.

Most visitors, keen on taking up the mushroom growing activity, observed that it was not as difficult as they had earlier assumed. Impressed by the mushroom demonstrations, Mr. Salum Muhammed, a businessman from Arusha said, “Nimejionea mwenyewe kilimo bora na rahisi cha Uyoga, na pia nimependa kazi yenyu”. Translated as, “I have seen for myself the easy and beneficial farming of the mushrooms, and I’ve also liked your work.”

Other interested visitors, especially those from institutions of higher learning, were very keen to find out about the availability and sustainability of urban markets for the mushroom crop. They were told that within the first year of the project implementation in Hai District, the farmer groups had managed to secure an order from Shoprite, a leading supermarket in Arusha, to take 30 kilos of fresh mushrooms on a weekly basis.

The farmers are also supplying mushrooms to a few hotels in Arusha and Moshi towns. The farmers are finding it difficult to meet these orders as there is limited supply of the mushrooms, hence a great potential for growth in this area.

As the show went on, we could clearly see the benefits the show forum had given the mushroom growing project

The show provided an excellent forum to

interact directly with these groups about the

work of MATF, not only from the

exhibited project, but also from the diverse portfolio

of 51 funded MATF projects across East Africa.

December 2006 5

The 2006 Arusha national show

To view more images of the 2006 Arusha show, visit the MATF web site; www.maendeleo-atf.org

in Hai district and MATF. The farmers registered remarkably high sales of the pickled and dried mushroom products.We were all in agreement regarding the exhibition as a powerful medium of dissemination and exposure for the farmers and their produce.

As the show went on, the pavilion continued to register more visitors, with Government research institutions, Ministries and local authority offi cials topping the list.

The Manyara Regional Commissioner, Mr. Anatoly Tarimo, visited the MATF exhibition space and was impressed with the work of the mushroom farmers. He was keen to learn more about new technologies being supported by MATF in Tanzania, notably in the coffee and banana sectors.

As examples, he was provided with information regarding the use of Penagus pulpar technology introduced by Technoserve in the processing of Specialty coffee in Mbeya Region, and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotec Applications (ISAAA) tissue culture project in the Arumeru district of Arusha Region.

Going by the range of enquiries and interest on the work of MATF shown by many rural farmers, business people and offi cials from various institutions, we concluded that our participation at the Arusha Show had been worth the effort we had all put in.

This interest was notably captured in the Arusha Times newspaper nane nane edition of Saturday 5th August 2006, which ran a story on the MATF funded African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) project implemented by the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC) in Duluti, Arusha Region. The Specialty Coffee Project in Mbeya Region, which has been successful in establishing international markets for the smallholder coffee growers, was also featured in this edition.

Lessons from the ShowThe vantage position of the FARM-Africa Show Pavilion within the high traffi c central exhibition arena, helped attract lots of visitors to the MATF exhibition. It also helped that our farmer exhibitors were passionate about their work.

On many occasions, they would call out enthusiastically to show-goers passing outside the pavilion,”Karibuni mjionee kilimo rahisi cha Uyoga.” (“Come and see for yourselves the easy farming of mushrooms.”) This ensured a continuous fl ow of visitors who kept us on our feet with numerous enquiries about our work.

By the fourth day of the show, our visitors’ book had registered a record 130 visitors. They stated their contacts and areas of interests, and these were just about half the number who actually passed through and enquired about our work.

A great concern, voiced by many visitors, was the fact that the MATF dissemination materials (newsletters, brochures and reports) were published in the English language.

The Swahili speaking people of Tanzania found it diffi cult to read our material and there were numerous requests for our publications to be translated into Swahili for the Tanzanian audience. Nonetheless, our verbal presentations on the work being done by MATF in East Africa since its inception in 2002, was well received.

As we prepared to leave Arusha, Gadiel Munisi, the mushroom farmer from Hai District, voiced his appreciation for the opportunity the exhibition had provided in the growth of their work. “Tumeshukuru sana kwa kutualika kwenye maonyesho haya ya Nane Nane, na tunatarajia ya kwamba tutaendelea kuhudhuria mengine kama haya ili tuendelee kuelimisha wakulima wenzetu kuhusu kilimo cha Uyoga.” (“We are very grateful for your invitation to the Nane Nane Show and we hope to attend similar ones so that we can continue to educate our fellow farmers about mushroom growing.”)

The Mushroom display showing the Mushroom farm (“Shamba la Uyoga”) at the MATF exhibition part of the FARM-Africa Show Pavilion. Notice the pink and white sprouting mushrooms from the side of the blue paper bags. The Pickled variety are displayed on the top of the clear cabinet.

The farmers registered remarkably high sales

of the pickled and dried mushroom products.

A close-up of fresh oyster mushrooms.

6 MATF Newsletter

The Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa, a popular tourist destination in the international travel circuit,

recently attracted a slightly different calibre of visitors to its world-renowned shores.

The Mombasa international agricultural show, organised by the Mombasa branch of the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) brought together numerous visitors from the coastal farming communities, offi cials from local NGOs and Government, business people and potential investors.

The show, which took place from 30th August to 3rd September 2006, saw a record 205 organisations exhibiting at the Jomo Kenyatta grounds in the Mkomani area of Mombasa. Amongst them was the Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF). Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki also graced the event to offi cially open the show on 31st August 2006.

Following a successful debut at the Arusha National Agricultural Show, popularly known as nane nane (1st-8th August 2006), MATF exhibited at the Mombasa Show with an aim of sharing its regional experiences on technology transfer to a wider audience.

MATF in Mombasa

Two innovative projects based at the Coast Province of Kenya were showcased. Read more on MATF’s fi rst exhibition at the 2006 Mombasa international agricultural show.

Two innovative projects based in the Coast Province of Kenya were showcased. These were the Coast Development Authority’s (CDA) project on production and marketing of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) in Malindi and Taveta Districts, and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute’s (KARI-Mtwapa) project on improved mango production techniques in Malindi and Kilifi Districts.

The technologies exhibited ranged from production, small-scale processing, utilisation and linkages to markets. The MATF exhibition tent was set up next to an indigenous African vegetable demonstration plot developed by the CDA a few weeks prior to the show.

The participating projects came with two farmers from their respective project areas to explain and demonstrate the workings of the exhibited technologies. The two teams did a wonderful job of sharing their project activities and experiences to numerous visitors at the tent.

The CDA team consisted of Ms Anne Nyanje, a vegetable farmer from Malindi District, and Mrs Dina Mwashigadi from Wundanyi District. CDA’s Horticulturalist Mr Baha Ngawa accompanied them.

The KARI team was comprised of Mr Mwangori Janji, a farmer from Kilifi , and Mrs Elizabeth Kenga, a farmer from Mabirikani Self Help Group in Malindi District. The KARI project coordinator Dr Lusike Wasilwa was also on hand with her team from the KARI exhibition stand.

African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs)The farmers in the CDA project had laid out different varieties of the indigenous vegetable crop which had been solar dried and packaged. Varieties included Amaranthus, popularly known as Terere or Mchicha, African Nightshades (Mnavu or Managu), Spider plant (Mwangani) and Cow Pea leaves (Kunde).

The farmers demonstrated the techniques used in the farming of the crops and answered lots of enquiries which ranged from how to sow the seeds, to use of organic fertilisers (waste manure), local methods of keeping the pests away and preservation of the harvested crop.

Visitors were also educated on the nutritional value and health benefi ts of consuming the vegetables. They were encouraged to include the indigenous varieties in their regular diets for vitamins, calcium and other minerals.

MATF attends regional shows

Mr. Baha Nguma, a horticulturist from the Coast Development Authority (CDA) at the demonstration plot, explaining about the farming of indigenous African vegetable varieties to school pupils.

The solar drier that was on display at the show. Notice the mango pieces on the top part of the drier. A similar unit is used for the purpose of drying the indigenous vegetables for preservation.

theme of “Empowering people through growth in Agri-business.”

Speaking about the show, CDA offi cial Baha Ngawa said, “MATF provided a wonderful opportunity for our organisation to participate for the fi rst time at the Mombasa International show.Our demonstration plot was a great crowd puller and an ideal forum to share information on the growing of AIV with the many show visitors, especially farmers. We believe that many people have learnt more about the work we’ve been doing with small-scale farmers, particularly women groups in Malindi and Taveta Districts.”

KARI offi cial Dr Lusike Wasilwa was also optimistic that the show forum would prove benefi cial to the mango farmers. “We’ll have to work hard with the farmers to ensure that we take advantage of the business opportunities arising from the show. The task of meeting the large orders begins immediately after the show.”

possible outlets for the dried varieties.

The CDA demonstration plot The indigenous vegetable plot proved to be a real crowd puller during the duration of the show. The plot was divided into four sections and included the more popular vegetable varieties of Mnavu (African Night shades), Mchicha (Amaranthus), Mwangani (Spider plants) and Kunde (Cow Pea leaves).

From the exhibition tent, the visitors were taken round the demonstration plot, to see the varieties and ask questions concerning the crops. It proved to be invaluable in demonstrating the farming

of the vegetable varieties to keen farmers and other interested visitors. It also enabled the tent exhibitors to educate and interact freely with the tent visitors, easily encouraging adoption of the technology by other farmers.

Show refl ectionsThe two exhibited projects were excellent examples of how MATF is enabling small-scale farmers to increase their farm productivity and access emerging markets through business opportunities This was appropriately in line with the ASK Show

Mrs Dina Mwashigadi from Wundanyi District was emphatic on the importance of the vegetables to one’s health and general well-being. “Hizi mboga zetu za asili zina umuhimu sana katika maisha yetu. Ukiwa na mboga hizi kwenye chakula, waweza kuepukana na magonjwa mengi yanayo dhuru watu wengi siku hizi kama magonjwa ya damu, high blood pressure na ukosefu wa madini mwilini.” (“Our indigenous vegetables are very important in our lives today. With regular consumption of these vegetables, one can avoid conditions such as high blood pressure and lack of vital minerals in the body.”)

Posters and brochures were also laid out next to AIV products, supporting the dissemination of the relevant information to the tent visitors. Visitors would also be shown the AIV varieties growing on the demonstration plot. Many also bought the packaged dried varieties at Ksh 100 per 200 gms packet.

MangoesThe mango farmers from the KARI led project plantlets from the Ngowe variety on display to demonstrate the propagation techniques used in the growing of mango trees.

Other varieties such as Van Dyke, Tommy Atkins, Haden and Kent were also shown to the visitors through dissemination materials such as posters and brochures. These also carried information on the management of pests and diseases using good agricultural practices.

Also on display were products derived from the mangoes such as jam and juice, demonstrating the value addition component of the project. The farmers explained the process involved in making these products from harvested mangoes. The jam and juices were retailing at Kshs 100 and Kshs 150 respectively. Dried mango varieties were also available for sale at Ksh 100 a packet.

Visitors were taken through the process involved in preserving the harvested mangoes using a solar drier. This equipment was displayed next to the tent and demonstrations were carried out by the farmers to show how sliced mangoes were salted and placed inside the drier for preservation.

Samples for tasting were given to the visitors, allowing them to appreciate that the solar preservation process retained all the essential vitamin ingredients of the mangoes. The dried varieties can last up to 4 months without rotting.

The farmer groups involved in the project are targeting supermarkets as

December 2006 7

The 2006 Mombasa international show

Mrs. Dina Mwashigadi, a vegetable farmer from Wundanyi, passionately explains to tent visitors, the benefi ts of growing and consuming AIVs. In front of her is the Mbirio plant (Tithonia spp), which the farmers use as “top-dressing”, to ward of pests from their vegetable plots.

KARI Director Dr. Ephraim A. Mukisira (extreme right), the Chairman Dr. Jamleck Mutugi and other offi cials listen keenly to a presentation by Mr. Mwangori on dried mango varieties.

Dried vegetables of the Amaranthus variety on display at the MATF tent. Locally known as Mchicha or Terere, the vegetable is one of the popular varieties in the coast region.

Mango jam, juice and the dried varieties on display at the MATF tent. The dried varieties can last up to four months without going bad.

To view more images of the 2006 Mombasa show, visit the MATF web site: www.maendeleo-atf.org

8 MATF Newsletter

Dr Joseph Oryokot, UgandaJoseph joined the MATF Advisory Panel in 2003 as the second member from Uganda. Prior to this, Joseph had served as a Director of Research in the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) Uganda before moving to join the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) as its Technical Services Manager. He is presently serving in the latter position. Both positions have placed him at the apex of both agricultural research (technology generation and development) and extension (technology transfer and promotion) in Uganda.

Dr Felister Makini, Kenya Felister joined the advisory panel soon after the MATF inception in 2002. She has experience spanning 13 years in participatory project formulation, implementation, management and administration. This also includes development of participatory methodologies for farmers involvement in research activities.

Felister has been in the fi eld of agricultural research for 23 years as a research scientist.

Her work has included the editing of scientifi c papers, proposal writing and fundraising for agricultural projects.

Felister holds a B.Sc degree from the University of Nairobi in botany and chemistry, an MSc degree from Georgia State University, USA, in plant pathology, and a PhD degree from the University of Greenwich, UK, also in Plant pathology. She’s currently working with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute as a Centre Director, KARI Kisii research centre.

Joseph Wekunda, Kenya Joseph has a wealth of experience in participatory development and project management. He has practical experiencein project formulation, appraisal and implementation at grass root level, with gender development and farming systems research.

He is an agriculturist with a BSc degree in general agriculture and also holds an MSc degree in tropical agricultural development, agricultural economics option from Reading University, UK. Wekunda has over 31 years of experience in agricultural development

of which, ten years were of service to the government and 19 years have been within the private sector. He is the Executive Director of Biotechnology Trust Africa (BTA).

David Hopkins, Kenya David was appointed to the Advisory Panel of MATF as the representative of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation (GCF) in 2003. David is also a Trustee of the GCF funded Tree Biotechnology Project (TBP), based at Karura, Nairobi. He brings to the Advisory Panel a lifetime of working in the private sector, having started his career with a large multinational, the Canadian agricultural machinery company Massey Ferguson (MF) in 1964.

More importantly, he also brings on board the experience of establishing, managing the growth, and successfully selling his own consultancy group, Agrisystems, which has operations in the Pacifi c, Asia, Europe and Africa. it was bought by Cardno Limited of Australia in 2005. He is a holder of a degree in agriculture and a post graduate in tropical agriculture.

David HopkinsKenyaJoseph Wekunda

Kenya

Dr Felister Makini

Kenya

Helen Altshul

Kenya

Prof Sebastian V. Sarwatt

Tanzania

Ndema Mbise

Tanzania George OdhiamboTanzania

Dr Joseph OryokotUganda

Prof Agnes Mwang’ombeKenya

MATF Advisory Panel members

MATF Advisory Panel members

TRANSITION

A Tribute to Eng. Kaima MeyaMATF AP Member(b. 1958 - d. 24th September, 2006)

Those who knew Kaima will remember him as a wonderful and kind person, always willing to help with any request. He was also very dedicated to the success of FARM-Africa and MATF in particular. He was deeply involved in the Uganda goat project.

The Uganda country programme was developed and strengthened by Kaima’s hard work over the last four years. His contributions to FARM-Africa as a member of the strategy and policy team and to MATF as an advisory panel member were considerable.

To many of us at FARM-Africa, he was just Kaima; a very down-to-earth friend and colleague. It was easy to forget that he was one of the most respected fi gures in the agricultural sector in Uganda and this reputation was based on his personal commitment to reducing the poverty of small holder farmers. This reputation was built over many years. The depth of understanding he had of agriculture in Uganda was based on his ability to understand and respect the poorest farmers he met and he was as comfortable talking with these farmers as he was engaging with the highest level of government offi cials.

Due to his hard work, he represented central Uganda as a director of National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) not only that but also a committee member of UNDP small grant scheme in Uganda.

Engineer Kaima had been sick for a while. He experienced a lot of pain and discomfort, and spent many days in hospital under the care of Hospice Uganda. With their help, his family was able to manage some of the terrible pain that had dogged him throughout his illness.

Kaima passed away at about 9.00 am on Sunday morning 24th September 2006. In keeping with Muslim tradition, he was buried the same day. To demonstrate how much he meant to people, even at such short notice, hundreds converged at his lovely farm Luvule in Luwero district about 50km west of Kampala to show their respect. It was a touching ceremony.

It never failed to amaze us that each time we visited him, he was an encouragement to us. He went through his trials with dignity and fortitude. His mind was always clear even in the midst of pain, and he always had some lesson and inspiration for FARM Africa. Eng. Kaima made every effort to support his healing process - often fi ghting to eat even while his body was rejecting the food!

Kaima was a trained electrical engineer who died at the age of 48. He is survived by fi ve children, widow Hajat Hanifah and his elderly mother.

May he rest in eternal peace.

Compiled by Owen MugumePlanning and Fundraising Offi cer, FARM-Africa Uganda

December 2006 9

Helen Altshul, Kenya A British natural resources manager, Helen has over ten years’ international development experience in Africa and Asia, ranging from soil conservation and sustainable livelihoods to monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.

Before taking up the post of Country Director of FARM-Africa Kenya in July 2004, she had spent six years living and working in Kenya: two years in farming systems research with the UK Overseas Development Administration (now DFID) and four years managing East African development programmes for Christian Aid.

She has also completed short (three to six month) contracts in Burkina Faso, Cambodia and Israel and fi eld assignments to Costa Rica, Ghana, India, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Helen is now overseeing the implementation of the FARM-Africa Southern Sudan Livelihoods Recovery and Development Project, which started in January 2006.

Prof Agnes Mwang’ombe, Kenya Agnes is an expert in the fi eld of agriculture subspecialised in plant pathology with emphasis on plant resistance to diseases, pathogen specialization, seed borne pathogens and diseases. Agnes is currently the Principal, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences and an Associate Professor in Plant Pathology, University of Nairobi.

Prof Mwang’ombe has been actively engaged in policy formulation and implementation as a researcher and policy maker at the University. She has also trained several MSc and PhD Students in the last 18 years. Outside the University, she’s involved in charity girl-child education programmes and mentorship for young women scientists in the fi eld of agriculture in East Africa.

Prof. Sebastian V. Sarwatt, TanzaniaProf. Sarwatt was invited by FARM-Africa to serve as an AP Member for MATF in March, 2003. He has made valuable contributions during the AP meetings and stakeholders workshops. He also carrys out monitoring and evaluation of MATF projects. He currently works at the Department of Animal Science and Production, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania.

George Odhiambo, Tanzania George is the FARM-Africa Tanzania Country Director. He previously worked with Africa Now in Western Kenya. His experience includes over six years’ programme development and management for market development and commercial linkages projects. He has a BSc in Agricultural Economics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management. He joined FARM-Africa in December 2002.

Ndema Mbise, Tanzania Mrs Ndema Mbise was appointed as an advisory panel member to MATF in 2002. Together with other AP members, Ndema has been participating in the different activities of MATF, including selection of fundable projects, pre-funding appraisals as well as making

monitoring visits to ongoing projects in the three East African countries.

Ndema is also involved in consultancies and researches in the areas of micro-fi nance and gender development issues in Tanzania. She is also a Trustee in the Board of Gatsby Charitable Trust, Tanzania.

Nairobi International Trade Fair

10 MATF Newsletter

The 2006 Nairobi International Trade Fair managed to attract over 300 exhibitors, according to fi gures released

by the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Nairobi branch offi ces. From the 2nd to 8th October 2006, over half a million people visited the stands of various exhibitors at the Jamhuri show grounds. These ranged from private businesses, Government agencies, NGOs and foreign traders. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, who is also the ASK patron, offi cially opened the event on the 4th of October 2006.

Amongst the exhibitors at the Show was FARM-Africa and its programmes in Kenya, which came together to showcase their work. These were the Dairy Goat and Capacity Building Project based in Mwingi, the Northern Kenya Pastoralist Capacity Building Project, the Meru Milk Marketing Project and the Regional fund MATF.

MATF exhibited two of its innovative funded projects. These were the Gari-Processing Technology Project from Uganda and the Silage Making Project from Nakuru and Kiambu Districts, Kenya.

Gari Processing TechnologyThe Mid-north Private Sector Development Company based in Lira District of Uganda, has been addressing the issue of excess production of cassava and its under-utilisation by many small-scale cassava farmers. With support from MATF, the company has been promoting the gari processing technology to generate farm incomes from cassava and provide solutions to food insecurity.

Gari is a light, white or creamy crystalline food made from pure and naturally dehydrated cassava. The innovative food product can be prepared within minutes and served with most dishes. Its preparation can take various forms; it can be soaked into hot water or milk to be made into either liquid food (porridge) or solid food (Ugali). With a shelf life of two years and containing no additives, the product is ideal for schools, hospitals, prisons, the military and internally

displaced peoples’ camps. The technology has high potential for mass production and export, opening up profi table commercial opportunities for the cassava farmers.

At the FARM-Africa stand, two representatives from the project were demonstrating the process of making the fl our and its preparation as food. They were Mr Lawrence Gege, an offi cial from the implementing company and Ms Esther Barungi, a cassava farmer from Masindi District and a Trainer of trainers. Through photos, leafl ets and brochures, they were able to inform and educate show visitors on the technology.

Food samples were also prepared for tasting. Bags of the gari product were on display at the show stand for demonstration and sale at Ksh 50 per Kilo. For many show visitors, gari was a novel product that they were seeing for the very fi rst time. Over 200 bags, each packed with I kg fl our, were bought during the show duration by people who wanted to give it a try.

Mr Lawrence Gege was pleasantly surprised by the sales and enquiries the gari product had elicited. “At fi rst, we thought that selling gari in Nairobi would be diffi cult. The response from many show visitors, however, was beyond our expectations. Many bought the gari while others were interested on how they could do the processing at home.”

Silage Making projectLand O’ Lakes in partnership with

the Land O’ Lakes in partnership with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), the Ministry of Agriculture and Egerton University, is testing and promoting silage making technologies for smallholder dairy farmers in Nakuru and Kiambu Districts.

This project aims to assist small-scale dairy farmers to achieve an even supply of milk throughout the year by mitigating the effects of dry season shortage of fodder.

It is a project where the technology has generated a tremendous excitement and interest among stakeholders in the smallholder dairy sub-sector, with demand for it coming even from non-target districts.

Representatives of this project at the FARM-Africa stand were Mr Humphrey Khakula, an extension offi cer from the Ministry of Agriculture and a benefi ciary farmer, Mr John Ngethe (both from Nakuru). Land O’ Lakes offi cial, Josephine Kirui, accompanied them to the show. Using banners, posters, and brochures, they were able to demonstrate the processes involved in preparing the silage.

Many show visitors enquired about the technology and how they could access it. They were advised to form groups and contact Land O’ Lakes, which could in turn provide them with contacts of links people from the organisation.

For Nakuru farmer Mr John Ngethe, the show turned out to be quite an enriching experience. “The show forum gave us an opportunity to interact with many people from different places. Many

MATF attends regional shows

Two MATF projects, one from Uganda and the other from Kenya were showcased at the 2006 Fair. Read more on FARM-Africa’s second consecutive appearance at the show. The FARM-Africa stand at the

2006 Nairobi international trade fair.

Kenya’s Livestock Minister, Hon. Joseph Munyao (in hat) listens to a presentation on the Gari processing technology project by MATF’s Monicah Nyang’ and Ugandan farmer Esther Barungi.

Mr. John Ngethe, a smallholder dairy farmer from Nakuru district, exhibiting the Silage making technology at the FARM-Africa Show stand.

For many show visitors, gari was a novel product that they were seeing for

the very fi rst time.

December 2006 11

had never heard of the technology and were glad to learn from our experiences,” he said. “Others who knew about it gave us more ideas on how to improve it.”

Show refl ections and lessonsThe 2006 Nairobi International Trade Fair lived up to expectations as the biggest agricultural show in Kenya. For the exhibitors at the FARM-Africa stand, it was a week where they got to interact with visitors from all walks of life ranging from school children, Government offi cials and business people.

The experience brought forth a number of lessons that will prove benefi cial to the participating projects’ dissemination and marketing efforts. The exhibitors of the Gari project encountered a few challenges while selling the cassava product. Indeed, a few notions about cassava had to be dispelled before some people could agree to buy the fl our.

“I was surprised to learn that some of our potential customers thought cassava was not edible or fi t for human consumption,” said Lawrence Gege. “We however did our best to inform visitors that, contrary to such beliefs, Gari was quite a nutritious and healthy food.” Lawrence also realised that, for better market penetration, more information on the product needed to be put on the packaging.

For Esther Barungi, a farmer from Masindi District in Uganda, language barriers were at fi rst daunting. “Most of the visitors would speak Swahili to me, a language in which I am not fl uent. I was happy to see that most were willing to talk in English once they realised I was not understanding their questions.”

John Ngethe, a Nakuru farmer and a benefi ciary of the silage making technology, observed a few lessons for future dissemination work. “Its important that we exhibit the silage making process in a more practical way to generate more interest. Visitors to the stand wanted to see the actual fodder resulting from the technology.”

The exhibitors were however optimistic that the show participation had proved worthwhile. Contacts established with potential customers and farmers keen on adopting the exhibited technologies would go a long way in meeting the key objectives of the projects.

Media coverage from Kenya Broadcasting Corporation TV and radio, the vantage position of the FARM-Africa stand, and its diversity of projects, all contributed immensely to making the participation a success.

Visit the MATF web site: www.maendeleo-atf.orgto view a complete photo gallery.

The FARM-Africa stand at the 2006 Nairobi international trade fair.

The 2006 Nairobi International Trade Fair

A visitor to the FARM-Africa stand (in white) joins community dancers from Marsabit district, in a traditional Borana dance. The dancers were drawn from pastoralist groups that had benefi ted from the work done by FARM-Africa’s Northern Kenya Pastoralist Capacity Building Project

Mr. Lawrence Gege at the FARM-Africa Stand demonstrating the gari processing technology to students from Pangani Girls high school, Nairobi.

Esther Barungi (Right) demonstrates how to make porridge from Gari. Looking on are children who had visited the stand with their dad and were eager to try out the porridge. Minutes later, one of the children sips the ready porridge as Esther looks on. The product elicited a lotof interest especially after visitors saw how fast it could be prepared.

Pallisa is one of the poorest districts in Eastern Uganda with a poverty index of over 56%. It also experiences intermittent

food insecurity due to poor agricultural practices, shortage of improved seed varieties and out of reach distribution system. Farmers have therefore been using low yield local varieties of sorghum.

Gatsby Charitable Foundation through MATF/FARM Africa funded a two year sorghum project from February 2004 to January 2006, with a grant of £59,966.The project focused on poor farmers in three sub-counties of Kabwangasi, Kakoro and Kamonkoli, targeting 360 direct benefi ciaries among other indirect ones.

Project objectivesThe project focuses on poverty alleviation in Pallisa district using a simple and quick means of on-farm Epuripur sorghum by organised farmer groups.

The improved sorghum variety was bred at Serere Agriculture and Animal Research Institute (SAARI), and has proved to be adaptable to local conditions.

Farmers can easily exploit the advantages of Epuripur as it is early maturing drought resistant and high yielding (two to three times compared to local varieties). The grains are high in sugar and starch content, making it suitable for food and a substitute in the brewing industry.

In terms of physical appearance, the local variety is small with brown seeds, while the Epuripur sorghum is white with big seeds.

Specifi c objectives The project aimed to achieve the following:< Promote on farm production and distribution of the Epuripur improved sorghum variety through a community seed multiplication system;< Improve farmer knowledge in better crop management practices;< Strengthen linkages between various stakeholders; and,< Improve food security and incomes at household level.

Partners and their rolesThe following organisations were involved in the project implementation:< SAARI - Seeds provision, training, supervision, monitoring and

report writing;< District local government (extension offi cers) - Extension services and supervision, monitoring and marketing.< Caritas Tororo - Planning, sensitising, modernisation, supervision, monitoring, processing inputs, discrimination, project management and report writing. < Africa 2000 Network (A2N) - Assistance with planning, sensitising, training, supervision and monitoring.< Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) - Provided a ready market.

MethodologyThe dissemination methods used was the community participatory approach which included training sessions, public meetings, extension staff, transparent progress reports, mass media, churches, mosques and visits to production farms.

Achievements< 331 direct benefi ciaries (92 percent) of targeted farmers are now producing and distributing improved Epuripur seed. < The farmers have formed Epuripur growers associations, which are now 18 in number with an average of 20 members in each association. Seven of the associations have opened and are operating bank accounts.< Production rose to 12,800 kgs in the fi rst season, and last year stood at 135,107 kgs.

Caritas TororoFarm production and distribution of Epuripur sorghum variety to increase household income in Pallisa district, eastern Uganda

< During the sale of the crop, no farmer’s seeds were rejected indicating that 92 per cent of the participating farmers had improved their knowledge in better crop management. < Over 190 homes (at least 53 per cent) out of 360 showed some improvement in their income levels (37 farmers bought bicycles, 22 bought iron sheets for housing, eight started retail shops).< The micro-credit system established to assist farmers purchasing equipment has proved a success with the farmers and they have decided to pay a small interest of Ushs 10,000 a year to ensure that the scheme is sustainable.

12 MATF Newsletter

Project Spotlight

A lady farmer proudly displays her Epuripur sorghum harvest to the project co-ordinator, Mr. John Watenyeli.

MATF Round 1 Extension Project

December 2006 13

< Farmers now supply seeds to Caritas Tororo at the beginning of every other year, which are then supplied to other farmers.< Convenient points or centres were established allowing farmers to link up and collect their produce together, to sell in bulk to Nile Breweries Limited.< Money earned from the Epiripur project was invested in other projects such as Poultry and Piggery.

SustainabilityTo ensure the sustainability of the project, the following aspects were implemented:< Training of community based trainers, who are permanent residents in the project area, to train other farmers;< Formation of Growers Associations and Community Based Seed Organisations (CBSOs);< Ownership of the project by the farmers and the willingness to pass the knowledge on to others; and,< Good linkages with the government, extension workers, researchers and Nile Breweries will ensure that the inputs acquired during the project life span will continue to be sustained.

Future plansThe project will benefi t from the following undertakings:< Converting the growers associations into a strong co-operative movement links them together with larger development partners;< Encourage group marketing;< Start a seed multiplication scheme for quality sustainability; and,< Encourage farmers to re-invest the money from the Epuripur into other projects such as poultry or piggery.

NADIFA’s Extension Project

Alocal farmers’ association, the Nakasongola District Farmers Association (NADIFA), has been at

the forefront in efforts to boost cassava production among the small-scale farmers in central Uganda’s Nakasongola district. This was among the Round 1 projects that performed remarkably well.

The association received funding from FARM-Africa’s Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF) in 2002, to promote cassava varieties resistant to the African mosaic virus. The result has been tremendous improvement in productivity from three metric tonnes per hectare to over 16 metric tonnes per hectare within two years. Over 1,500 farmers have had access to improved varieties such as NASE 1-12 and TIME 14.

In November 2005, NADIFA was granted a one-year extension to build on the production gains achieved over the two-year funding period. The increased production warranted the introduction of value addition through cassava multiplication, chips processing and marketing. One of the objectives of processing quality chips was to mill them into fl our, thereby generating high demand in the local and international markets.

In collaboration with several partners, NADIFA trained the farmers in the following areas:< Improved cassava multiplication practices, soil-water and nutrients conservation;< Obtaining improved cassava stems; < Post-harvest handling; < Storage, processing, utilisation; and, < Marketing. The key objective was to build farmer capacity to sustain cassava production for marketing in the sub-counties of

the district. 350 lead farmers, among them 150 women, were targeted in the extension phase of the project. Another key objective was the purchase of cassava processing equipments. These were: one milling machine; four manual chippers; one motorised chipper; one weighing scale; and one sawing machine.

The project adopted existing extension systems to disseminate the technology. Collaboration with NADIFA members, extension link farmers and the Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Research Institute (NAARI), ensured the value added aspects of the project reached the targeted farmers.

NAARI was vital in providing the technologies for dissemination and developing chips marketing linkages. NADIFA mobilised its members to participate in project activities. Chippers were fabricated and supplied by Tonnet Enterprises.

The extension project saw the completion of a cassava processing plant in Wabinyonyi sub-county, Wabigalo parish, to handle an estimated processing target of 12 tonnes per month. The Plant, to be managed by NADIFA and expected to be launched in 2007, comes at an opportune time for the farmers of Nakasongola district, whose cassava produce will fi nd a ready market.

Speaking about the opening of the factory, NADIFA project co-ordinator Ronald Magado said, “The Plant is the culmination of lots of hard work from NADIFA members and support from MATF. Its operations will boost the economic wellbeing of Nakasongola farmers not only through buying their cassava crop for processing, but also other produce such as maize.”

Farmers at the cassava processing plant in Nakasongola, Uganda, peeling their produce for chipping.

Two farmers prepare their sorghum harvest at a Nile Breweries buying centre in Kokoro., Pallisa district, Uganda.

EVENTS IN 2007 < Proposal development for

shortlisted Round 5 projects’

applicants.

< Evaluation of Round 4 projects

< Fourth Grant Holders’

experience-sharing workshop

< MATF participation in East African

agricultural Shows

UPDATES 2006

Farewell to MATF pioneer FundManager October 2006 saw the FARM-Africa staff saying their warm goodbyes to the pioneer MATF manager, Dr Lydia Kimenye. A hardworking agriculturist with over 20 years experience, Dr Kimenye had steered MATF from its inception in 2002 with exemplary dedication to see it grow into a successful grant-making institution.

She joins the Kampala-based Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) as an expert in charge of technology uptake.

The MATF finance office also saw the departure of Mr. Joseph Kinyanjui in August 2006. He moved to IRC Sudan to take up the position of finance manager in the Darfur region.

Round 5 call for Concept notes The Round 5 phase of MATF projects commenced in early December, with a call for concept notes through newspaper advertisements within East Africa. Organisations and institutions involved in agricultural development work, including private companies, were invited to submit their project concepts for consideration.

In the fifth round, MATF is looking for projects that will take smallholder farmers beyond productivity increases to income and wealth creation, by moving the outputs of specific, proven production technologies up the value chain through value addition and /or better access to and exploitation of profitable markets. Round 5 projects will have a budget ceiling of £30,000 p.a., for three years.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Proposal development for shortlisted Round 5 projects’ applicants MATF will organise a proposal writing workshop for shortlisted applicants of the Round 5 phase of MATF projects. The two-day workshop will take place from the 8th to 9th March 2007, in Arusha, Tanzania.

This workshop will assist the grant applicants finetune and finalise their project proposals for consideration by the Fund Manager and MATF AP members.

MATF Strategy meeting A one-day strategy meeting has been planned to take place on the 26th of April 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya. This meeting will bring together MATF staff and AP members to discuss comprehensive strategies on the future of MATF.

Impact studies on MATF projectsBaseline surveys of selected MATF projects are planned to take place from February 2007. These will aim to establish impacts achieved by the projects at grassroots level and gather vital economic data in line with the 2006 MATF’s evaluation recommendations.

MATF participation in regionalagricultural shows With the successful participation in various agricultural shows in Kenya and Tanzania, MATF will continue to showcase more projects in its portfolio, and their technologies through selected agricultural shows in the East African countries.

MATF updates and forthcoming events

The programme for the year is:< July 2007 -The Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show (Jinja, Uganda); < August 2007 - The Dar es Salaam agricultural show (Tanzania); and.< October 2007 - The Nairobi International Trade Fair (Kenya) These shows have proven their worth as excellent forums for disseminating the beneficial impact of MATF’s funded projects to a wider and more diverse audience. Lessons learnt from last year’s participation will be invaluable in ensuring successful exhibitions.

Evaluation of Round 4 projects Evaluation of Round 4 projects is set to begin in the second quarter of 2007. Findings from this evaluation will be documented and shared to the MATF stakeholders in September 2007 during the fourth experience-sharing workshop.

Fourth Grantholders experience-sharing workshopThe fourth experience-sharing workshop will be held in Mombasa, Kenya from 3rd-7th Sepember, 2007. Participants will be drawn from completed Round 4 projects, new Round 5 projects and other stakeholders For regular information on upcoming MATF events, please visit our News Release section on our web site at www.maendeleo-atf.org

14 MATF Newsletter

Left: The MATF founding fund manager, Dr Lydia Kimenye (on the right) is assisted to cut the cake during her farewell ceremony at the FARM-Africa Kenya Country offices in Nairobi. Above: MATF’s Monicah Nyang’ presents the cake. Designed as a fruit basket, it symbolically depicted the rich diversity of MATF’s projects in the region.

www.maendeleo-atf.orgIn format ion w h e r e v e r y o u a r eMAENDELEO AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FUND

The Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF) web site is a good resource for any one interested in our activities over the last fi ve years. There are numerous documents on the site that can be downloaded in PDF format for ease of storage and future reading such as the MATF newsletters and experience-sharing workshop reports. These documents contain valuable information on ongoing MATF activities. For grant holders, there are various resources available for download to assist in project implementation such as EXCEL fi nancial worksheets on budget templates, quarterly fi nancial reports and budget revision deadlines, and other templates that will ease project work.

Go on....visit our web site today and learn more about MATF!

Well, almost anywhere.

EASILY ACCESS our MATF Publications

anywhere in the World.

MATF | FARM-Africa Kenya Country Offi ceStudio House, 4th FloorArgwings Kodhek Road, HurlinghamP.O. Box 49502 - 00100 GPONairobi

Tel: +254 20 2731664/2044/2203Fax: +254 20 2732086

Email: info@maendeleo-atf.orgWeb sites: http://www.maendeleo-atf..org | www.farmafrica.org.uk

MAENDELEO AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FUND

Improving Livelihoods through innovative Partnerships

Supporting rural small-scale farmers across East Africa