Improved varieties of cassava were presented, and many cuttings of improved varieties were sold.
The Agriculture Society of Kenya (ASK) Kakamega Show, running from June 17 to 20, 2015, provided an excellent platform to inform farmers about the latest agricultural technologies developed and tested by the Western Region Agriculture Technology Evaluation (WeRATE) R4D Platform in the Humidtropics West Kenya Action Site, shared with the N2Africa and IFAD Cassava Projects.
Working closely with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), WeRATE organized a very successful exhibit during the show, advancing its theme Enhancing Technology in Agriculture and Industry for Food Security through field demonstrations, sale of improved seeds and cuttings as well as other inputs, and exhibition of value-adding technologies. WeRATE set up a One-Stop Shop and sold over 600 kg of soybean seed, 200 kg of Sympal fertilizer, 600 packets of BIOFIX legume inoculant, and 1,500 cuttings of improved cassava varieties. Additional orders were received from farmer groups for the upcoming short rains growing season starting next September. WeRATE also sold soymilk and yoghurt, soy snacks, protein-fortified flour and porridge, and soy-cassava cake.
The exhibit was highly regarded by the 1,242 registered adult (56% of which were women) and over 2,500 schoolchildren visitors, dignitaries and judges. At the end of the show, WeRATE was ranked 1st in the category Best Agro-Based Processing, and 2nd for Best NGO, among the numerous organizations from government, research, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and others that were represented.
WeRATE officers and staff proudly display their 1st place trophy for Best Agro-Based Processing, and 2nd place certificate for Best NGO.
About WeRATE
WeRATE is a R4D Platform that tests new, proven agricultural technologies and input products in Western Kenya. It is an open membership organization, with 22 members, mostly well established farmer associations and commodity organizations, who work together to transform small-scale farms into highly profitable agricultural enterprises that remain viable into the future.
One of the tools WeRATE uses to advance this transformation is a booklet entitled Better Farming in West Kenya: Finding Solutions to Common Farm Problems. It proposes direct solutions to tackle common challenges faced by Kenyan farmers such as poor maize yields because of striga, a destructive plant parasite of maize; uncontrolled pests and diseases of grain legumes; a recognized decline in agricultural resources, particularly soil; and a rapidly changing and sometime misunderstood rural development setting.
Blog by Wycliff Waswa, Farm Liaison Officer, WeRATE, and Paul L. Woomer, N2Africa Project, IITA-Kenya. Blog edited by Valérie Poiré, Communication Officer, Humidtropics. Photos by Wycliff Waswa/WeRATE.