Benefits from adopting new technologies -

research, innovation and networks for better

food security, nutrition and agricultural

productivity

CFS 43 SIDE EVENT – 20.10.2016

Bridge between research and endusers through partnership

•Despite of long-term efforts, it is still challenging to transfer innovations and results from research to farmers.

•In this presentation we share examples from different projects in Sub Saharan Africa.

•The examples given include management of soil micronutrients, solar panels for irrigation, inter-sectorial collaboration in Somalia and video-based nutrition program.

•We hope to trigger a rich debate on how to achieve local ownership and gain acceptance for new technologies and thereby lasting results.

Cases to be presented

◦ Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) presents a rapid low cost spectral methods developed with World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) for diagnosing soil micronutrient - Prof. Martti Esala

◦ International Solidarity Foundation presents a pilot on how to combine capacity building in basic research with farmer participation in Somalia - Ms. Jenna Kettunen

◦ Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) jointly with FFD introduces how encourage adoption on innovations by farmers in Zanzibar – Mr. Anthony Chamanga

◦ The University of Helsinki presents the GloCal nutrition project, which targets mothers and children in Kenya through educational videos and mobile applications – Ms. Lauriina Schneider

Keith Shepherd, Mercy Nyambura, World Agroforestry Centre, ICRAF

Martti Esala, Riikka Keskinen, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke

Michael Gatari, University of Nairobi

New rapid low cost spectral method for diagnosing soil micronutrient status

Global hidden hunger index map (Muthayya et. al. 2013): The combined burden in preschool children of multiple micronutrient deficiencies: vitamin A, zinc, iron and iodine.

Plant and human deficiencies in Africa - soils are the key

Africa green revolution hampered by variable fertilizer response as low micronutrient contents in some

soils can hamper the effect of NPK fertilizers (Voortman 2010)

Consequences

• Micronutrients can have dramatic impact on crop yield (incl. trees), animal and human health

• NPK fertilizers wasted if micronutrients are limiting

• Fertilizer failure is a high risk to smallholders

• Adoption of modern management practices impaired by high risk of failure

• Amount of research on micronutrients very limited

• Knowledge of spatial distribution of deficiencies is high value information

• But how can we get information over large areas at low cost?

Project Objectives

1. To develop new, rapid, low cost soil-plant analytical methods for

diagnosing soil micronutrient deficiencies for crop, livestock and human

health.

2. To establish a baseline on soil micronutrient status in Sub-Saharan

Africa soils.

3. To provide information for various stakeholders on management

strategies and options for tackling key micronutrient deficiencies.

4. To strengthen African capacity on new science and technology for soil-

plant micronutrient analysis, diagnosis and management.

www.africasoils.net

Randomization of Sentinel Site locations stratified by climate zone

African Soil Information Service

The Rural Soil-Plant Spectral Lab

Mid-infrared spectrometer Handheld XRF analyser

• Predicts many soil functional properties

• Plant macro & micro nutrients

• Compost quality

• Fertilizer certification

• Low cost, when compared to traditional chemical

methods

• Reproducible

• Rapid

Outputs• Spectral methods for rapid diagnosis of micronutrient deficiency syndromes

• Prevalence data and maps of soil micronutrient constraints for Sub Saharan Africa

• Intervention options for tackling prevalent constraints

• Dissemination via Africa Soil Information Service

• Farmer groups

• Public and private extension services

• Local natural resource planners, project managers

• Fertilizer companies for manufacturing locally balanced fertilizers

• National policy makers and planners

• International development and aid organizations

• Capacity strengthening

• PhD Programme with University of Nairobi, supported by MTT & ICRAF

• Training inputs form James Hutton Institute (XRD), Bruker AXS, & AfSIS partners.

• Individual and course training of national programmes via AfSIS

Outcomes

Healthy soils Healthy crops Healthy

livestockHealthy people

Evidence-based micronutrient management

Civil society, academic institutions, state and private sectorcollaboration for developing economic and ecological sustainability of agriculture in Somalia Jenna Kettunen, International Solidarity Foundation

Value chainapproach

Development programme is cluster of activities thatsupports local livelihood

development.

Knowledge-basedplanning on production

system

Who are the actors?

What is their core expertise?

What to develop and with whom?

Entrepreneurshipdevelopment in the whole

value chain

Who are the actors?

What is their core expertise?

What to develop and with whom?

Enabling factors for innovation acceptance

Association

structure to cooperate with

structure that allows farmers to lead processes

horizontal dissemination structures and services

Cooperation with producers directly

participation in problem and solution definition

own testing and research

Cooperative - private sector actor in value chain

can make business and have commercial cooperation with private sector

can invest in new technologies and methods

Networking and coordination role of CSOs

Planning together, working together in Somalia

1. Research capacitydevelopment and international academicnetworking – cooperationamong researchinstitutions.

2. Research agenda and applied research for solving jointly defined problems, and implementing jointly defined solutions.

3. Agribusiness - involve local private sector and develop local entrepreneurship in the whole value chain.

Impact of Technology Adoption to

Zanzibar Horticulture Sector

Anthony P. Chamanga

Tanzania Horticultural Association with support of

the Finnish Agri-Agency for Food and Forest

Development

TAHA’s Zanzibar Horticulture Linkage Project (ZAHLIP)

•TAHA’s main activities as an Apex Private Sector member organisation: to mobilize, connect and build capacities

•Objective of the ZAHLIP project: To improve livelihoods and enhance food and nutrition security

TAHA/FFD activities in Zanzibar focus on:

• Driving technologies on the ground in order to improve capacity of farmers and other valuechain actors for improved production and productivity

• Addressing business environment challenges so as to reduce operation costs and improveindustry competitiveness and inclusive growth

• Facilitating trade and linkages across the value chains

• As a result of TAHA operations, Zanzibar has significantly expanded the production offruits/vegetables (water melon and tomato etc.)

TAHA APPROACH

FARMERSAccess to

Finance

Enabling

environment

(Advocacy)Market linkages

Extension

Services

(GAPs)

Logistics

Access to

InputsTIS

Infrastructure

• Markets

• Irrigation

Drips

Solar

• Drip Irrigation

• Solar pump irrigation

• Raised bed

• Greenhouse

• Post-harvest handling

technologies

• Improved seeds

• Pests and disease control

• Etc.

Key technologies and practices

For improved production

and productivities

Facilitating access and adoption

through:

• Farmers trainings

• Practical training Centres

• Farmers Field Days

• Professional nursery production

• Horticulture Knowledge Hub

(underway)

TechnologiesDrip Irrigation

• TAHA promotes the use of drip irrigation: technical support and training for the installation and management of drip irrigation system

• Drip irrigation widely adopted in Zanzibar -> as a result of using drip irrigation, yields can increase by 200%

Commercial nursery

• Commercial nursery established => quality seedlings

• Farmers get seedlings at 50% subsidized price

• Over 1 million seedlings distributed to farmers

Solar-powered water pump

TAHA/ZAHLIP introduced solar-powered water pump

-> Minimizes irrigation costs, especially power (fuel or electricity)

• Reduces irrigation costs by 25% for tomato and green pepper crops

• Profit improved up to 50%

Adoption of New Technologies

Enabling Factors• Technologies Knowledge platforms

• Demonstration plots

• Practical Training Centres

• Ease of access of technologies

• E.g. seedlings – commercial nursery

• Results – to crop yields

Challenges • High Prices

e.g. Irrigation systems, hybrid seeds

• Weather factors – e.g. greenhouses

• Lack of availability – very few technology

companies in Zanzibar; resulting in use

of fake inputs

• Cumbersome registration process for

new technologies – testing, importation

Solutions: • Establishment of satellite nurseries

• Promote use of demo plots and PTCs

• Engagement of technology companies

• Expand their presence

• Enhance market access of horti products

General Impact

• Greenhouse production booming – local technologies suitable for Zanzibar

• Increased production - reducing “import” of fresh produce from the Mainland from 80% to

40%

• Increased government political drive – process to formulate horticultural development

strategy started

• Adoption of technology resulted in increased availability and consumption of horticultural

production in Zanzibar => enhanced nutrition

• TAHA Vision: A vibrant, prosperous, profitable and sustainable horticulture industry in

Tanzania -> US $ 1 billion per year

GloCal – Global issues in loCal contextLauriina Schneider, University of Helsinki

To globally reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality through nutrition and health education in the form of video

To facilitate the work of healthcare workers with a mobile application

To help mothers in their daily life through a mobile application

Why GloCal?

The lack of knowledge, adverse traditional believes and attitudes influence maternal and young child feeding practices.

Women’s knowledge and attitudes can be changed through a modern education model.

Increased understanding on how people in LMICs accept modern educational tools.

GloCal videos

Short & easily understod

Real video & animations◦ Local actors and foods

Voiceover in local languages

Targeted at mothers◦ Also illitterate women

Can be used in training of healthcareworkers

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Complementary feeding

Childcare

GloCal applications

Highlights Checklists Growth charts Vaccination cards

• GloCalNurse

• GloCalMom

Research

Scientific proof on video effectiveness on changing maternal knowledge, attitudes and feeding practices

Joint venture with Kenyatta University

6-month intervention ◦ 3 urban & 3 rural health centers

◦ Videos shown on TV screens in health centers

Focus group discussion results:

◦ Mother’s ability to make feeding decisions needs to be strengthened

◦ Need for social support and encouragement

Current activities

- Educational videos for Africa◦ English, Swahili (Kenyan + Tanzanian), French, Portugese, Amahara

- GloCalNurse and GloCalMom application prototypes

- Intervention study in Kenya◦ Effectiveness of videos, urban and rural areas. Results available by the end of 2016

- GloCal videos as part of Unicef intervention◦ Western Kenya, 2016-2018

- Kenyan Ministry of Health◦ Scaling up of the project nationally, usage of GloCal pictures in other MIYCH material

- FoodAfrica project◦ Video dissemination in Benin, Ghana, Uganda & Senegal

- World Vision India◦ Indian video set in Indian English and Hindi, dissemination in India

See website: www.glocalnutrition.com

Thank you for your attention!

CFS 43 Finnish Side Event was sponsored by:

TAHA Zanzibar project is also supported by: