Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA)

Contractor:
Kenyan Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF)

Project Code: 031-680-062	Start Date: 01-Apr-93	End Date: 01-Mar-94
Commitment: £4 668	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
The adoption of safe and sustainable farming practices will improve the quality and quantity of food produced in developing countries and effect considerable health and environmental benefits. Mixed cropping and agroforestry projects should be promoted to conserve fertility, structure and moisture content of the soil, reduce erosion, increase the availability of fuel and fodder and improve the diet. Genetic diversity should be encouraged as a defence strategy against pests and diseases in combination with biological control methods where necessary.

Many NGOs and farmers in developing countries recognise the need to develop safe and sustainable farming methods, however much of the agricultural information and advice available to them is influenced by chemical companies promoting high levels of external inputs.

This project is closely related to an ongoing organic resource base project in the Overseas Department of HDRA to make available easily understood information and advice on tropical organic agriculture. The material will be used by NGOs enabling them to function more effectively in their extension demonstration and training roles. The importance of supplying basic information on tropical organic agriculture is demonstrated by the great demand from NGOs for an organic resource base project. However, it is essential to provide more than just information, particularly to the large number of financilly insecure NGOs working closely with farmers. Many active groups have demonstrated an urgent need for funds to implement training activities within their community.

In many parts of Kenya farmers own small areas of land (0.25 to 5 acres); most families are large and this has resulted in chronic food shortages. Farmers are encouraged to purchase inorganic fertilisers and pesticides and consequently fall further into debt.

Project Objectives:
To establish a demonstraton farm with examples of organic agricultural practices suitable for small scale farmers in Kenya.

To train KIOF extension officers and other interested parties in a wide range of organic techniques.

To arrange visits for the 2,000 farmers that KIOF is currently working with, in order to demonstrate that the methods taught are successful. Other visitors will be actively encouraged.

To educate development workers from other agencies in aspects of sustainable agriculture in order that they might include such projects in integrated development work. The demonstration farm will be the ideal focus for this.

To carry out collaborative on-site experimentation of organic farming systems involving indigenous crops. Results will not only extend the scope of KIOF work but will also form an important part of the HDRA database and will be extended to other groups within our worldwide network of contracts.

To collate feedback information on the success of the demonstration farm and the associated extension and training activities, and to make this information available to assist in future projects.

Intended Outputs:
A fully operatonal 15 acre demonstration farm, including a wide range of organic agricultural techniques suitable for small-scale farmers in Kenya. The farm will become self supporting after the two year establishment period through the sale of produce. Collaboration between KIOF and the HDRA will result in research activities at the demonstration site to evaluate local organic methods such as plant extracts for pest and disease control and development of appropriate extension material. Useful information from the project will be made available through HDRA's extensive network of international contacts.