Enhancement of Global Food Supply chains

Enhancement of Global Food Supply chains: East Africa Region under the Leadership of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC):1890 CEGFSD funding to support agricultural productivity by providing and enhancing research and outreach skills of targeted small-scale farmers and stakeholders at Chuka University

• Principal Investigator: Geofrey Gathungu,
• List of Co-Investigators: Martin Njogu, Geofrey Kosgei, Grace Opetu, Peris Nderitu, and Peter Gakai
• Collaborating organization(s): Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Bouton Louge

• Name of Funding Institution: 1890 Center of Excellence in Global Food Security and Defense (CEGFSD), USA

1. Contribute to the identification, development, and dissemination of new technologies as well as processes such as improved seeds, enhanced techniques for the regeneration of agroforestry and/or fruit trees.
2. Enhance agricultural productivity through optimal use of inputs per production unit.
3. Contribute to the training of faculty, students, and local community in climate-smart agriculture.

Agriculture continues to be a major economic and workforce driver in the East and Southern Africa region. In Kenya, agriculture supports about 75% of the rural population in terms of food security, employment and livelihoods. Food production systems in many parts of Kenya are faced with declining agricultural productivity due to the vagaries of climate change. This will require collaboration of both local and international stakeholders to achieve increase in agricultural productivity to meet the rising demand for food. To achieve this collaboration was developed between Southern Universality Agricultural Research and Extension Centre(SUAREC) and Chuka University.Through this collaboration a project was funded by the 1890 Universities Centre of Excellence in Global Food Security and Defense through SUAREC and implemented by Chuka University (CHU). The project main objective was to improve agricultural productivity by providing and enhancing research and outreach skills of targeted small-scale farmers and stakeholders in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The CHU Faculty Members selected 4 small-scale farmer Self-Help Groups (SHGs) [Kiramba, Mwangaza, Nthima NAALAP and Mbuti] in 4 wards in Chuka [Karingani, Mugwe, Magumoni] and Igambangombe [Mariani]Sub-Counties, respectively in Tharaka Nithi County to implement the project. The farmer self-help groups formed the farmer field schools (FFS) who are resource poor in terms of available land sizes, financial resources, and the available land is inappropriately planned hence food insecure. The research team plans to continue promotion of climate smart agriculture technologies to enable the households to increase food production for a better nutrition, while conserving the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

• Expected outputs: Support to Development of fruit tree nursery and establishment of trees in the farm
• Impacts on the society: food security, income generation, improvement of biodiversity and environment

Ongoing research

Water Sorage Tanks and Hass Avocado Seedlings to Support Agricultural Productivity