Crop diseases, a challenge to nguruman farmers

By Maison Nteetu

As farmers straggle to move out of bondage of poverty, crop diseases tries to make the farmer’s dream delay and sometimes kill their hopes of getting a good harvest. Crop diseases, as well as livestock diseases, act as the farmer’s stumbling block of their success.

Maize lethal necrosis disease for example, has made a lot of farmers to almost lose hope on growing maize after a serious destruction of the crops.

Some of the characteristics of the disease include among others, yellow stripes on leafs and stem of the affected plant. 

 An affected plant. photo by Maison

A good example is a farmer who planted half an acre of maize and the farm was affected by maize lethal necrosis disease. This leaves many hopeless and unwilling to continue growing crops.

After a month almost all the plants turned brown. They seem to be ready for harvest but they bear no grains.

Maize lethal necrosis disease has no cure according to plant-wise investigation. However, a plant clinic held on the first and last week of the month helps farmers to understand ways on how they can prevent their plants from being affected.

 

Mr Kibinge, A plant doctor analysing some samples. Photo by Maison

Some of the preventions include:

•  Avoid moving plants from infected regions to non-infected regions to reduce spread of the disease.
• Avoid continues planting of maize crops to stop persistence of virus and possible vectors.  Practice crop rotation.
•  Avoid planting recycled seeds.
• Keep the field free from weeds.

Once the plant is affected, the farmer is advised to uproot and destroy the plant by burning or burying it 1m deep.

Nguruman Maarifa Advisory committee strengthened

Nguruman Maarifa Centre  has been in existence for the past nine years where community members have been receiving free services like Internet access, ICT training, Online market information, e-Government services, Multi-media content, Publications, information on sustainable Agriculture, climate change and Natural resource Management  among other topics.

Since its establishment, many milestones have been achieved with over ten thousand community members benefiting from the facility. The daily operations of the Maarifa centre are overseen by a Field officer assisted by a community knowledge facilitator who is a member of the community. A advisory committee comprising of representatives from different stakeholders are elected to oversee the operations of the facility and act as a link between  ALIN and the community.

Community members following proceedings during the Launching of the Maarifa centre

Strengthening Nguruman Maarifa centre advisory committee was key as some older members had got other community assignments and vacant positions needed to be filled. Through thorough discussions and consultations with stakeholders present during  the meeting, A strong advisory committee was formed with representations from Community groups, Associations, Church based organizations, Government ministries, NGOs, the disabled, Local administration and farmer groups.

The elected members were urged to desist from personal interests and work together for the benefit of the entire community words that were echoed by  the Area chief Mr Tin'gai who is a member of the committee. The committee recorded a 100% attendance during our New year meeting held on 18th January, 2014 at the Maarifa centre.

Nguruman farmers keen on Market curtails

Farmers within Nguruman irrigation scheme have been keen on market curtails which has since then exploited their potential to have their right share in their pockets. Intensive training on market survey and gross margin analysis by ALIN and Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has played a vital roles in enlightening the farmers to change their perspective and embrace 'farming as a business' model.

Many a times farmers have registered  huge losses which have lowered their chances to sustain themselves economically and due to their dark experiences, they resolved to form marketing groups depending on the produce to keep off middle men who make a kill out of their fortunes. During a meeting organized by MOA, farmers shared their grievances and agreed to work together to avert their losses.

DAO Adressing meeting participants

"Its something we can work out if we cooperate as farmers and work closely with other stakeholders... we look forward for a time when we will be able to get our 100% share from our produce..." Said Mr Munyere, one of the farmers. "Some years back we used to earn good money from our farms but when we welcomed brokers, things changed completely..." Added Mr. Toroke, community elder.

During the meeting, The Sub-county Agricultural Officer, Mr Henry Siro urged the farmers to embrace Mobile technologies and online platforms to ensure they have up-to-date information on markets and emerging farming technologies and recognized ALIN's bold move to launch a mobile platform Sokopepe which is user friendly and every farmer can use with ease. He also urged farmers to come out and show what they are able to produce so they can sell their produce through the platform.

A community elder contributing to the discussion

In response farmers narrated how they have lost lots of money to buyers who carry their farm produce and promise to send them money only to disappear.

"We have in the past seen people posing as buyers only to walk away with our hard earned produce and never come back... we now prefer using other platforms like sokopepe where we are sure our produce will be handled safely.." Said Mr. Mburu who practices mixed farming.

The farmers agreed with one voice to cooperate with other stakeholders to ensure they benefit fully from their produce and make use of resources and information within their reach to improve their livelihoods.

Nguruman Farmers embrace Sokopepe

Farmers around Nguruman irrigation scheme have embraced new marketing strategy  and have been visiting Nguruman Maarifa centre in response to Sokopepe mobile registration feedback SMS which requires them to visit the nearest agent with the details for further advice.

Sokopepe is an initiative of Arid Lands Information Networks (ALIN) aimed at harnessing the power of information and communication technologies in enabling farmers to efficiently reach and exploit a fair market for their produce. At the same time, it increases efficiency in the agriculture value chain providing  a platform  for farmers  to share information and execute electronic transactions.

Youth accessing Sokopepe information at the Maarifa centre

More than 300 farmers have registered for sokopepe in Nguruman alone. The same exercise has been on going in six other Maarifa centres spread across other counties. The innovation has received a warm welcome by community members with majority being the youth farmers who foresee a revolution in farming and access to markets as an opportunity to improve their livelihoods.

"I am pleased to have interacted with the system after I registered and successfully logged in... I was able to view the goods on sale.. I encourage other community members to use the system and enjoy access to better markets..." Joephilova loongiti. ....the registration process is simple and every farmer can register from a simple mobile handset.. thanks for the information. He added..

A farmer who represented Nguruman community during Sokopepe launching at Ng'arua Maarifa centre thanked ALIN for entrusting him and added that, he had lots of information to share with fellow farmers from the experience he obtained from  the exposure.

Jacob Naipaa, A young farmer who represented Nguruman community during sokopepe launching harvesting his Tomato crop

How to register
For one to register for Sokopepe, he/she needs to have a mobile phone not necessarily an internet enabled one.

Send an SMS to 20245:
REG#IDNumber#FirstName#LastName#County
Example: REG#2234524#Samuel#Kilovoo#Kajiado

Other services
To get market prices, send an SMS to 20245:
Price#Commodity#Town
Example: Price#Beans#Nairobi

To get farming tips, send an SMS to 20245:
Tip#ProductName
Example: Tip#watermelon

ALIN's Sokopepe innovation  has also been covered in print and online national media quoting it as 'changing the face of farming' and also ' connecting farmers with top buyers'.

http://www.thepeople.co.ke/15383/changing-face-of-farming/

http://www.nation.co.ke/life+style/smartcompany/Online+market+connects+farmers+with+top+buyers/-/1226/1969088/-/ywq3r4/-/index.html

Rabbit keeping earnings enables a farmer to buy a dairy goat

Small stock farming is taking shape among communities living in Arid and semi-arid areas in kenya. A few years ago in Magadi division you could hardly find farmers practising rabbit keeping as many of them had large herds of cattle that supported their livelihoods until 2008 when some farmers lost almost all their animals to drought. An immediate approach was therefore called for to address the issue. ALIN in collaboration with other stakeholders worked closely to address the gap and this saw some farmers innovatively championing projects that have had great returns.

Mrs Esther wateri began rearing rabbit way back in 2011. She was drawn in to the business after visiting her rural home where her brothers were making good business out the enterprise and was given a doe and a buck. A search for more information landed her at Nguruman Maarifa centre where she borrowed a book on backyard rabbit keeping in the tropics. "The book gave me information I needed to keep the enterprise rolling..."

Mrs Wateri removing hair from rabbit meat

Esther has so far sold more than 20 mature rabbits to rabbit meat lovers  and more than 12 pups to other farmers interested in starting the enterprise. She now has more than 50 rabbits and targeting bigger orders as she usually sells one rabbit at between Kshs 1000 - 1,500 locally ans feels she can get better market for better prices. The earnings have enabled her to buy a dairy goat which she believes will provide enough milk to her family.

Kamau at the dairy goat barn

 "I will use the money I spent buying milk to expand my rabbit keeping enterprise" she added.

Nguruman 'Plant Clinic' Launched

A plant clinic was launched at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Magadi division grounds on 18^th June, 2013. The clinic which is the eighth one to be launched in the country aimed at helping farmers identify and treat crop pests and diseases will be held twice a month on the second and the last Thursday of the month.

The occasion saw top officials from the Small-scale Horticultural Development Project (SHDP), Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) scientists Plant wise and CABI visit and give their views and contributions towards the project.

Plant wise, an initiative led by CABI which aims to improve food security and the lives of the rural poor by reducing crop losses in helping countries to establish community-based plant clinics which deliver practical advice to farmers when their crops have a problem. With collaboration from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and fisheries, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and the Small-scale Horticultural Development Project (SHDP) the initiative has trained and equipped two plant doctors to run Nguruman Plant Clinic. Other partners include KEPHIS, Nguruman Irrigation Water Users Association (IWUA) and African Development Bank (ADB).

Seniour Officers from MOA head quarters handing over the clinic equipments and
reference materials to IWUA officials

CABI is a non-profit international organization that improves people's lives by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in Agriculture and the environment. they also have on-line information portal where farmers can access on-line in formation. The officials appreciated the availability of internet services at the ALIN Marifa centre citing  that, it will provide further information to plant doctors and also directly to the farmers. The Maarifa centre will be also used as dissemination point for online materials regarding plant health and  diseases.

The clinic has been equipped with necessary tools to diagnose diseases including micro-organisms and competent staff who have been taken through intensive training on how to handle diverse range of crop diseases. They have also been equipped with picture charts, agrochemical handbook, reference books among other relevant materials. 

KARI will also provide training to community nurses who will assist on surveying farmers’ crops to identify infected crops and also alert farmers in case of an outbreak. The nurses will also educate the community on the importance of plant clinic.

Plant doctors attending to farmers during the Launch

Farmers are expected to carry samples of the affected crops to the clinic where they will be diagnosed for recommendations and control. The farmers will have to purchase the chemicals necessary for treatment. As part of the Small-scale Horticultural Development Project, IWUA will set up an agrochemical outlet chop where farmers will be purchasing farm inputs at an affordable price.

Farmers applauded the initiative noting that losses due to unidentified pests and diseases will drastically reduce. Plant wise has already Launched 8 clinics and are planning to launch 59 by the end of the year.

Local administration relocation set to boost Maarifa centre services

Construction is almost complete for local administration offices, Olkiramatian west location just besides Nguruman Maarifa centre. The building is its finishing stages and will house the area chief and his security team. This is set to boost services offered at the Maarifa centre since majority of community members will be visiting  seeking administrative services as opposed to when the offices were in Olkiramatian market, about 15 kilometres away.

Local Administration block under construction 

Speaking to the Maarifa centre staff during a follow up visit to access the construction progress and damage caused by flash floods, the area Member of County Assembly Magadi ward Hon. Peter Pariken expressed his appreciation for the services offered to members of his community and showed concern to work with the Maarifa centre to market his area and ensure more programmes are included to cater for different community needs.

Some of the local administration officers are ICT training graduands at the Maarifa centre and also regular users of other Maarifa centre services. Notably, Chief Elijah Sereu has been lately utilizing the Maarifa centre to do his on-line studies and submitting his assignments for a administration  studies degree he is doing at Kenyatta University.

The building as seen from the Maarifa centre

He says that the Maarifa centre has been instrumental in his life since he learned his computer usage skills here which inspired him to buy his own laptop computer and now he is using the same facility to do his on-line studies. He urges the young people to take up the task  and utilize the facility to shape up their future.

"I have been one of the beneficiaries of Nguruman Maarifa centre and it has shaped my passion for ICT. I am now a university student and taking my studies from the Maarifa centre Library which is WIFI enabled..." said Mr. Sereu