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< MATF activities in pictures

< Updates 2005

< Forthcoming events in 2006

December 2005 Issue 3 MORE NEWS, MORE REVIEWS

42nd Grant-holders’ Workshop

4Evaluation of Round 2 Projects

4An Overview of Selected Round 4 Projects

Farmers in Mbeya region of Tanzania standing next to a coffee pulpery machine. In the background is a coffee plantation.

MAENDELEO AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FUND

Marketing of Specialty CoffeeSpotlight on TechnoServe

December 2005

EditorialFrom the Fund Manager

example on sustaining effective partnerships, issues of market access and micro-credit among others and how different projects dealt with them. You can get the workshop report on the website: www.maendeleo-atf.org.

In this issue, we have an overview of recently selected projects collectively known as Round 4 projects. These are 16 new projects most of which started in 2004. The technologies being disseminated through these new projects include silk farming, oyster mushroom production, fi sh farming, indigenous African vegetables, improved varieties of rice and technologies on value addition of various products such as cassava and bananas. Some of the Round 4 projects and also Round 3 projects are experimenting on some exciting approaches and methods for linking farmers to some niche markets and for building their capacity to exploit such markets.

In this issue, as an example of projects with innovative technologies and methods for helping small scale farmers to improve productivity and engage in highly lucrative export markets, the project spotlight is on a Round 3 project implemented by Technoserve Tanzania. As you read the project spotlight, you will learn how small scale growers have managed to move from producing commodity coffee with low earnings to production and marketing of specialty coffee through a combination of institutional and technological innovations.

As usual, the newsletter contains beautiful pictures depicting different technologies and activities in the MATF calendar. Other information in this issue is updates on other events in the MATF calendar such as mid-term evaluation of MATF program carried out in the last quarter of 2005, extension of selected Round I projects and a glimpse to events planned for 2006.

We invite your comments and views on the newsletter. For more information and updates, please visit our website at:www.maendeleo-atf.org.

Lydia N Kimenye PhDFund Manager

2 MATF Newsletter

The Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF)

is a regional initiative established in 2002 with joint funding from

the Rockefeller Foundation and

the Gatsby Charitable Foundation (UK)

and managed by the Food and Agricultural Research

Management (FARM) Africa.

It aims to improve the livelihoods of farming

communities in East Africa

by identifying and facilitating innovative ways of technology transfer, adoption

and improved productivity

through competitive grants.

The MATF Team

Fund ManagerLYDIA N KIMENYE (PHD)

Project Offi cerMONICAH NYANG’

Monitoring Offi cerCHRIS WEBO

Communication and Documentation Offi cerDANCAN MUHINDI

AccountantJOSEPH KINYANJUI

AdministrationFATUMA BUKE

DriverBARNABAS RAKARINGA

Design and LayoutDANCAN MUHINDI

Offi cesStudio House, 4th Floor

Argwings Kodhek Road, HurlinghamP.O. Box 49502 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254 20 2732203/2732044 Fax: +254 20 2732086Email: info@maendeleo-atf.org

Web: www.maendeleo-atf.org | www.farmafrica.org.uk

© FARM-Africa 2005

MATF IS MANAGED BY

MAENDELEO AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FUND

MATF has so far funded 50 projects, which are disseminating a variety of improved technologies to smallholder farmers by innovatively combining a variety of methods and approaches. In all these projects the fund has encouraged grantees to work with partners who have skills and expertise needed to help small scale farmers to exploit new technologies. In the third issue of the MATF newsletter, we share out with stakeholders experiences drawn from funded projects in this case the lessons are drawn from experiences of ten projects that ended in early 2005.

During 2005, ten projects referred to as Round 2 projects ended and were evaluated. Their achievements, lessons and experiences were presented and discussed during the 2nd grant holder experience sharing workshop held in Kampala, Uganda. The workshop was a highly successful event, offi cially opened by Uganda’s minister of state for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Mary Mugyenyi and attended by over 50 participants form in and outside Uganda. Information shared included a variety of innovative technologies and how they have helped to improve productivity and incomes at household level, the various partnerships put in place in each projects and how they worked together to disseminate the technologies; and various approaches and methods used to impart skills to farmers and to facilitate their uptake of specifi ctechnologies. Other lessons discussed were on the challenges encountered for

4

4 2nd Grant-holders Workshop

The 2nd MATF experience-sharing workshop took place at the Kampala Regency Hotel, Uganda, from the 8th to 11th August 2005. It brought together grantees from the second cohort of MATF projects, grantees from ongoing set of projects based in Uganda and representatives from various development partners in and outside Uganda.

7 Evaluation of round 2 projects

A total of ten projects from Round 2 were due for evaluation in 2005. Three of the projects are in Kenya, three in Uganda and four in Tanzania. Read more about them.

8 MATF in pictures

Round 3 and 4 projects highlighted

9 An overview of selected round 4 projects

The selection of Round 4 projects, which began in March 2004 was successfully completed in the same year with 16 new projects selected, bringing the number of MATF projects to 51. Read about some of the exciting newtechnologies from this selection.

12 Project spotlight: Technoserve

Moving from Commodity Coffee to Specialty Coffee through Technological Innovation: Central Pulperies. Read how

innovative technology is changing the fortunes of smallscale coffee growers in Tanzania

14 Updates

< Annual fund review< Extension of Round 1 and 2 Projects< MATF mid-term evaluation was carried out from November - December 2005< Communication workshop for round 1 and 2 projects - September 2005

Forthcoming events

< 3rd Grant-holders Workshop< Evaluation of Round 3 projects< Documentation & dissemination < MATF participation in regional shows.

14 9

8 12

December 2005 3

Contents : Issue 3

4 MATF Newsletter

“This workshop is an excellent opportunity

for stakeholders to share and learn about new

technologies and dissemination methods.”

Dr Lydia KimenyeMATF Manager

2nd Experience Sharing Workshop

Moving InnovationsFrom research into farmers’ fi elds

Introduction

The 2nd MATF experience-sharing workshop took place at the Kampala Regency Hotel, Uganda, from the 8th to 11th August 2005. It was opened by Uganda’s Minister of State in Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Mary Mugyenyi.

Participants included grantees from the second cohort of MATF projects, which had just ended, grantees from ongoing set of projects based in Uganda and representatives from various development partners in and outside Uganda. They shared experiences from their projects through presentations and discussions. The workshop also saw the offi cial launch of the MATF web site, www.maendeleo-atf.org by Hon. Mary Mugyenyi.

During the proceedings, participants got an opportunity to visit the Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI) poultry project in Rakai district.

Objectives of the workshop

These were outlined at the start of the workshop by the MATF Manager, Dr. Lydia Kimenye. She said that, “the fund strives to share lessons from projects through documentation, dissemination and experience sharing and learning workshops”.

The Fund Manager explained that the Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF),

established in 2002, “has a primary objective to identify and promote innovation in agricultural technology transfer in order to bring back a much needed improvement in productivity and incomes in small-holder agriculture in the region.”

To this end, the fund had captured various approaches and methods that had been used successfully to inform and create awareness about new technologies. In terms of achievements, she informed the participants that MATF had funded 51 projects disseminating various new technologies.

Smallholder farmers had also been assisted to acquire technology inputs,materials and skills for them to apply and benefi t from improved technologies.

She continued, “There are also on-going projects that are trying out exciting methodologies for enabling small-holders to access markets and to participate in them profi tably”.

In concluding she said, “The workshop proceedings will therefore highlight the achievements and lessons from the ten Round 2 projects that have ended and the results coming out of some of the on-going Round 3 projects. This workshop is an excellent opportunity for stakeholders to share and learn about new technologies and dissemination methods.”

Participating projects

These were as follows:Round 2 projects

< Community Integrated Development Initiative in Rakai District, Uganda )(CIDI). (Poultry).< Environmental Alert in Sironko District, Uganda. (Dairy goats).< Kitui Development Centre (KDC) in Kitui District, Kenya. (Beekeeping integrated with Sunflower production). < African Medical and Research Foundation in Makueni District, Kenya. (Improved food and nutrition).< The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) in Arumeru District, Tanzania. (Tissue culture banana technology)< Livestock Production Research Institute in Dodoma, Tanzania (LPRI) (On-farm production of cereal seeds).

A plot of mulberry in the silk production project, Kabarole District, Uganda

December 2005 5

2nd Experience Sharing Workshop

< Mediae - Radio soap opera in Arusha, Tanzania and TV series in Kenya. < Sokoine University of Agriculture(SUA) in Kilosa District, Tanzania (Solar drying of sweet potatoes). < Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Research Institute (NAARI) in Bushenyi and Kisoro Districts, Uganda (resistant bean varieties) < International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), western Kenya (High value trees) Current Round 3 projects < Makerere University - Promotion of orange fleshed sweet potatoes in urban Kampala, Uganda. < Luweero District Farmers’ Association (LUDFA )- Vanilla Production. < Caritas Tororo - On-farm production of improved sorghum in Pallisa District, Uganda < Lira - Gari processing technology in Lira District, Uganda < Mbarara District Farmers Association (MBADIFA) in Uganda (Preservation of agricultural produce using solar dryers) < Centre For Integrated Development (CIDev) in Kayunga District, Uganda (Production of clean yam planting material). Lessons and challenges encountered These were captured from the various presentations shared by the project representatives, and observations from MATF Advisory Panel members.

Approaches and methodologies It was seen that projects used different methods and approaches for successful transfer of technologies to the farmers. These were through: < Meetings – awareness and sensitisation. < Training – on production, value addition and capacity building.< Drama and songs for sensitisation. This was especially seen with the promotion of orange flesh sweet potato project in Kampala by Makerere University. < Publications - pamphlets, booklets and posters (dissemination).< Farmer to farmer learning and training.< Exchange visits between various groups.< Micro credit /finance and leasing systems in cash or kind - The micro- credit system was well used in Arusha, Tanzania, with the dissemination of the tissue culture bananas by ISAAA and MBD (Micro- finance and Business Development).< Radio Programmes, to create awareness – this was seen in the soap and magazine initiative by the Mediae company in Tanzania. < Relevant partnership mix that created synergy. Where the partnership consortium is good, the project is likely to succeed.< Private sector intervention for marketing purposes e.g Honey care African Beekeeping Limited (in Kitui) and Nile Breweries, Uganda (Caritas Tororo-Sorghum).< Effective networking and linkages.

Challenges of methodologies and approaches < Poverty and education levels affect the methodologies adopted in a given project, and how well they work.< Dependency syndrome is a common phenomena in most of the projects where the target groups expect their needs to be catered for regardless costs.< Poor group leadership contributes greatly to the failure of the project. < Credit recovery can prove to be very difficult during the project implementation, hindering the overall progress( for example, the CIDev project and loans for tanks). On partnerships The conditions for a good partnership as seen in the projects are as follows: < Transparency.< Relevance.< Clarity.< Conducive environment and trust.< Respect for each other. < Experiences from the project. The following are observations from Partnerships that did not work well: < Weak partnerships - due to lack of transparency with the budget, work plan and their roles. < Coordination and involvement exist only on MOU but not in reality< Partnerships on individual basis rather than at institutional level, which does not ensure sustainability. < Too many partners - it’s prefferable to have fewer stronger partners. < Some partners required for specialised roles were not included. Challenges of partnerships < Sometimes, partners are unwilling to continue with the project at initiation or after receiving funds.< Transfers, changes of staff and leadership, sometimes affects the partnership negatively. < Administrative problems of partners can also hinder the smooth implementation of a project.< Other commitments of partners can interfere with their focus on the project. < Sometimes, a partner mix may turn out to be irrelevant since they fail to add value to the project.

Minister of State in Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Mary Mugyenyi (centre), admires various products at the workshop display area. With her (from left) is Dr. Fina Opio, Diretor at NAARI (Grantee), MATF Advisory Panel member Joseph Oryokott, Mugume Owen (FARM-Africa Uganda) and a Ministry official.

the introduction phase of a new technology. Is it a new technology to the farming systems or do they need to overhaul their farming system? Is the technology packaged as new? < Value additionMost projects were looking at production issues and the question of whether the technology can be packaged for marketing and creating linkages.< Measurements and indicators of impact.This is when clear changes can be observed after adoption of the new technology, interms of yield, practices and level of knowledge.< Farmers Preferences.Quick benefi t from technology leads to high adoption and acceptance, while some technologies take long to realise impact. Where proper targeting and felt need are being addressed, farmers will adopt the technology faster.

Sustainability and way forward

The following measures were recommended to ensure sustainability of the projects.< Focusing on issues of markets, packaging and value addition of various products< Use of groups to ensure project continuity and replication< Formation of farmer cooperatives and marketing associations to scale up the project.< Commercially driven private sector involvement e.g. the Gari project and Epuripur sorghum project. < The creation of micro-fi nance, leasing and revolving funds (with stringent conditions in some cases) by forming savings and credit schemes is recommended to ensure target groups are able to access affordable capital.< Integration of activities into Government or other partners normal activities to ensure continuity.< Capacity building for skill enhancement. < Multiple partners with comparative advantages and clear roles.< Increasing the funding period: 2 years has been seen to be limiting, for measurable impact with various technologies to be realized.

6 MATF Newsletter

General challenges

< Weather, drought< Political interference< HIV/AIDS pandemic< Socio-cultural constraints< Inadequate land to produce economic quantities e.g. orange fl eshed sweet potatoes in urban and peri-urban Kampala.

Technological issuesin MATF projectsBy Helen Altshul, Country Director FARM-Africa Kenya

Helen Altshul summed up the workshop with her presentation regarding the technological impact issues as observed from the MATF project experiences. These were some of the issues:< Tried and tested verses new technologies being testedIt’s usually diffi cult to introduce a new way or technology of doing things due to the long period it takes before the impact can be felt by target groups. There is always constant comparison with the old, tried and tested technologies.< Adoption and diffusion of technology.This is best achieved through sharing - to fi nd out what is best for the project.The spread of the technology adoption is based on the models of technology transfer existing at that time.< ‘Packaging’ and ‘Disseminating’ Various questions normally arise during

“It’s usually diffi cult to introduce a new way

or technology of doing things due to the long period it takes before the impact can be felt

by target groups. There is always constant

comparison with the old, tried and tested

technologies. Where proper targeting and felt needs are being

addressed, farmers adopt the technology faster.”

Helen AltshulCountry Director,

FARM-Africa Kenya

Lydia Kimenye, Fund Manager, explains to Hon. Mary Mugyenyi various products and publications on display at the workshop.

A comprehensive report on the workshop proceedings can be downloaded as PDF at the MATF web site, www.maendeleo-atf.org

December 2005 7

Evaluation Of Round 2 Projects

A total of ten projects from Round 2 were due for evaluation in 2005. Three of the projects are in Kenya, three in Uganda and four in Tanzania.

Specifi c methodologies adopted in the evaluation exercise included:< review of project documents (project proposals, quarterly reports and mid- term monitoring reports), < interviews with MATF staff, project grantees and partners, < semi-structured interviews of sample benefi ciaries in target communities; and, < fi eld observations.

Evaluated Round 2 projects and their locations

From Tanzania, the projects evaluated were as follows:1. Diffusion of tissue culture banana technology to smallscale farmers in Arumeru District through micro- credit scheme. Grantee - The Interna- tional Service For Acquisition of Agri- Biotechnology Applications (ISAAA Africenter)- NGO,2. On-farm production of cereal seed production in Dodoma Region. Grantee - Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI),3. Transfer of solar drying technologies to sweet potato farmers in Gairo division Kilosa District for sustainable food security and income generation. Grantee - Sokoine University of Agri culture (SUA),4. Pilot radio opera and radio magazine initiative, Arusha, Tanzania (Phase I). Grantee - MEDIAE- Private media company.

From Uganda, the following projects were evaluated:1. Improving food security in South Western Uganda (Bushenyi and Kisoro Districts) through transfer of resistant varieties and integrated management packages for bean root rot disease. Grantee - Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Production Research Institute (NAARI). 2. Ensuring food security through increased goat productivity in Sironko District. Grantee -Environmental Alert. 3. Improving household welfare in Rakai District by improving indigenous chicken promotion through programmed hatching and cockerel exchange. Grantee - Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI) – NGO.

From Kenya, the following projects were evaluated:1. Community based sunfl ower promotion and integration with bee keeping in Kitui District. Grantee - Kitui Development Centre (KDC)- NGO2. Improving food and nutrition security among women and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Makueni District. Grantee - African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF)-NGO3. Accelerating market led integration of high value trees into small-holder farms in Western Kenya. Grantee - World Agroforestry Centre (International Centre for Research in Agroforestry – ICRAF) - NGO

Findings from the evaluation

Most projects demonstrated progress in achieving set objectives and contributing to household incomes and improving food security. However, some of the projects due to their nature, were yet to achieve their objectives, but have a potential of doing so. These include the High Value Tree (HVT) projects and goat breeding projects.

Most of the projects demonstrated good partnerships necessary for achieving project objectives, where key partners

were available to implement activities according to signed MOUs.

Technology adoption

< In Kenya, high value trees were promoted among 8,980 farmers who planted various species of tree seedlings. < About 640 farmers in Makueni, Kenya, planted drought tolerant crop varieties in the fi rst year of the project.< In Kitui, households planting sunfl ower increased signifi cantly. For example, Sunfl ower seeds distributed and planted by Itambya Self Help Group increased by 41 per cent from the fi rst to second season. < In Tanzania, 27,576 tissue culture banana plantlets were planted by 258 farmers. < 1.8 million listeners were reached with messages on bean production and livestock technologies through Pilikapilika Radio Programme (Mediae).< In Uganda, both the climber and bush varieties of beans were adopted and planted by 110 direct project farmer benefi ciaries. In Kisoro District of Uganda, farmers selected one climber variety (Nabe 12c) that had high yields (about 6 tonnes/ha) and were planting it widely. < In the programmed hatching of indigenous chicken in Uganda, the technology was well accepted and the demand for eggs, F1(fi rst generation) and F2 birds, was expanding beyond the project sub-counties.

Methodologies

About 90 percent of the projects used the group approach in technology dissemination. These were: < “conventional” community groups, < Farmer Field Schools (FFS), < groups with a Community Based Organization (CBO); and,< “conventional” groups integrated with components of Trainers of Trainers for technology dissemination.

These approaches provided an opportunity for farmers to access technologies as a group, thereby reducing the cost of technology transfer per farmer as well as enhancing adoption.

The technologies across the 10 projects

were well accepted, an indication that they were

addressing genuine community needs.

Round 2 Projects Evaluation

Climbing beans in Kisoro District, Uganda

8 MATF Newsletter

MATF In Action

Mr Evans King’o, an artisan trained to fabricate implements for conservation agriculture technology. He is holding a subsoiler in his workshop in Machakos, Kenya. This Round 3 project is implemented by the Kenya Network for Drought Animal Technology (KENDAT).

A research officer takes a closer look at healthy growing soya beans at a demonstration plot in Meru South, Kenya. Kenyatta University’s Department of Environmental Foundation is implementing a project on soil nutrient management technologies for increased crop yields in smallholder farms of the Central highlands of Kenya.

Dr. Felister Makini, MATF Advisory Panel member, with maize farmers in Murang’a, Kenya, during a monitoring visit in June 2005. The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Muguga is implement-ing a project on control of the maize stem borers using the “push-pull” technology.

A farmer waters an Amaranthus demonstration plot in Mkuranga District, Tanzania. This is a Round 4 project implemented by Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute (MARI) for the Promotion of Organic Farming Technologies on indigenous vegetable production in the Coast Region, Tanzania.

A close-up view of mature yams ready for harvesting in Kayunga District of Uganda. A local NGO, the Center for Integrated Development (CIDev) is promoting clean yam planting material (nematode-free) in the district, to boost yields through hot water treatment technology.

The Tengeru vegetable market in Arusha, Tanzania. This is one of the major outlets for the African Indigenous Vegetables promoted by AVRDC World Vegetable Center- Round 3 regional project.

An overview of selected Round 4 Projects

Introduction

The selection of Round 4 projects, which began in March 2004 was successfully completed in the same year with 16 new projects selected, bringing the number of MATF projects to 51. Seven of the new projects are in Tanzania, fi ve in Uganda, three in Kenya, and 1 regional project covering the three East African countries.

Among the new and exciting technologies brought in by the Round 4 projects are:a) Value addition (Cassava processing into animal feeds and fl our for human consumption, banana processing into wines, juices and fl our crisps); b) Indigenous leafy vegetables; c) High yielding upland rice (produce, processing and marketing);d) High value crops such as mushrooms, garlic and silk production; and,e) Fish farming.

The next section provides an overview of some of these projects from the 3 East African countries.

16 New projects added to MATF Project Portfolio

December 2005 9

Value addition in TanzaniaIncreasing cassava use for improved household incomes through on-farm processing for human and livestock.

Cassava is one of the leading food and cash crops in Tanzania. Market demand for the crop fl uctuates depending on the season due to lack of suitable preservation methods during the off-season.

The common method of preservation is in ground storage which in many cases leads to losses, especially when the crop has been in the fi eld for more than a year. Most farmers boil the roots and eat them at breakfast, lunch or dinner time. Others roast the roots to sell. These methods have not led to productive use of the crop.

According to the fi ndings of a baseline survey carried out by Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), processing the crop would encourage its use as a raw material for human food and livestock production. This ultimately would boost production levels leading to higher incomes for cassava growers.

SUA has initiated a project aimed at turning cassava from a crop principally grown for food to a cash crop for income generation. This is will be achieved by promoting on-farm cassava processing and increasing marketing channels.

SUA is in partnership with the following whose roles are also described:< Sugarcane/Rootcrops Research Institute (SRI) at Kibaha - distributing right cassava varieties and develope agronomic practices for high yields,< Power Foods Industries, Dar es Salaam - market outlet and information,< Farmers Centre Limited, Dar es Salaam - organize trade fairs, monitoring and manufacture cassava based livestock feeds,< Tanzania Gatsby Trust - training on credit management and revolving fund.

Promoting the use of the processed cassava in the production of human and livestock feed is expected to stimulate increased demand. Cassava based livestock feeds will reduce the over-dependence on maize feeds. This will lead to increased production thereby raising farmers’ incomes and the socio-economic status of rural communities.

Dr. Kimenye, tries her hand at the cassava chipper machine during a fi eld verifi cation visit at Mlandizi village in the coastal region, Tanzania. The technologies are being promoted in Dar es Salaam and coast regions by the Sokoine University of Agriculture in a cassava value addition project.

cooking, for example, Mtsunga, Tsafe, and Mchicha. Others such as Mwangani prevent diseases like malaria. The most commercially popular AIV’s areMchicha and Manavu. AIVs are widely grown in Malindi, Kwale and Kilifi Districts during the wet seasons.They require very minimal inputs for growth and are therefore suitable for

resource-poor farmers. CDA’s findings show that market demand for the vegetables, far outstrips supply hence a good marketing opportunity exists for the farmers. For the farmers to benefit, CDA aims to alter the cultural orientation of the crop amongst them,

to a business approach. Through this project, target farmers in Taita Taveta and Malindi Districts, are set to learn

the techniques to produce, process and market AIVs. Increased sales will lead to higher incomes hence contributing to the welfare of the families in the target areas. Silk production in Kabarole, Uganda

Over 90 per cent of farmers in Kabarole District live in absolute poverty and are still dependent on subsistence agriculture for their livelihood. Government policy, through the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) and the Plan for

10 MATF Newsletter

Overview of Selected Round 4 Projects

In this project, SUA has introduced the use of manual chippers to slice cassava into chips. These are then ground into flour which retails in the market at a higher price compared to the unprocessed cassava. 200-300 kg of fresh cassava at the market goes for TSh 4000-5000. The processed variety, in the form of flour, goes for TSh 6000-9000. Started in July 2005, the project targets the cassava producing farmers in Coast and Dar es Salaam Regions. The project hopes to achieve it’s objectives by:

< The training farmers on processing, usage and market skills; < The distribution of processing equipment; < The rapid multiplication of improved varieties of cassava; < The distribution of improved planting materials; < The establishment of multiplication farms;< The formation of Farmer groups;< The training on micro-credit management;< Credit acquisition for the farmers. Implementation of these activities will greatly impact on the long term success of the project. By turning cassava from a purely subsistence crop grown principally as a food security crop, to a cash crop, the well-being of rural communities will have been considerably improved. Indigenous leafy vegetables Improving food and nutrition security, economic empowerment of women farmers and HIV/AIDS-affected families, through promotion of production, processing and marketing of African indigenous vegetables at the Kenyan coast. Malnutrition is rampant among women of child bearing age and children under five years in the coastal districts of Taita Taveta and Malindi. High levels of food, nutrition insecurity and poverty are major causes of high mortality rates among the residents.

The Coast Development Authority (CDA) has come together with other partners, to address and solve this problem through the promotion of African Indigenous vegetables (AIVs), which are excellent sources of vitamins A, C , iron, fibre as well as proteins.

The project commenced in June 2005, and focuses on increased production, processing, use and marketing of AIVs among poor households to improve food and nutrition as well as economically empower the target beneficiaries. This will be achieved through maximum use and commercialisation of small holder farms, and formalization and promotion of related AIVs enterprise activities by

poor village women farmers and other farmers. CDA, the lead implementor and grantee, is a regional Development Authority mandated by an Act of Parliament to initiate, plan, coordinate and implement development projects/programmes within its area of jurisdiction (Coast Province and Ijara District), that contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable regional economic growth.It has partnered with the following organisations. < Family Concern - A regional market development agency; < The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) extension staff; < Kenya Agricultural Research Institution (KARI) – Mtwapa, for technology on drip and bucket irrigation; and, < CHOICE Humanitarian (a locally registered NGO with its Headquarters in Utah, USA). Will sensitise and mobilise farmers into savings and credit groups. This will mostly target women farmers. In terms of nutrition, most AIVs do not require the addition of spices when

Manavu: One of the popularAfrican indigenous vegetables.

Farmers in Kabarole, Uganda , tending their mulberry shrubs for silk worm production. The technology provides a new opportunity for income generation in the district for smallscale farmers, thanks to the MATF and Kyembogo DATIC initiative.

house technology;< Introduction of new, high yielding, high quality mulberry varieties. Farmers will be trained with mulberry production skills; and,< Establishment of a Sericulture Development Centre - for silkworm eggs storage and hatchery facilities. The other partners in this project are: < Kawanda Sericulture Development Centre - providing technical expertise on silk production,< Uweso Kabarole - administration of a revolving fund, < Kabarole Silk Farmers Association - accessing mulberry planting materials for farmers, mobilizing and training of farmers,< ICIPE Kenya - Technical training and advice when needed,< National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) Kabarole - sensitizing farmers on silk production, < Kabarole Local Government - political support and investment. High yielding upland rice Communities living in Luweero District of Uganda, faced the challenges of food security and low household incomes, for a long time. Efforts to solve these problems have mainly been through the growing of various varieties of upland rice, such as Abilony. Unfortunately, these varieties have not done very well due to disease and lack of adaptability to the local soils, resulting in low quality and reduced yields. Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO) is a programme established to promote agricultural entrepreneurship and development for food security, market oriented farming and agro processing. Through funding assistance from MATF, VEDCO is implementing a project to promote the growing and organized marketing of NARIC III upland rice in the sub-counties of Semuto, Makulubita, Nyimbwa, Katikamu and Bamunanika. The project targets 600 farmers organized in 20 farmers groups. NARIC III rice was developed and tested by the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and promoted by NAADS. It’s a new breed of rice in the African market that has been tested and found to be fast growing, more resistant to pests and diseases, and highly productive. It matures in 105 days and

Modernization of Agriculture (PMA), is to transform these farmers to commercial farmers by encouraging them to take up profitable farming business. One viable and profitable farming opportunity lies in silk production. Silk is a high value agro-industrial product, used for the manufacture of exotic cool fabrics for clothing and bed linens. Due to its favourable climate and fertile soils, Kabarole District has an advantage over other districts when it comes to silk farming. This allows for all year mulberry growth (fed by silkworms), silkworm rearing and silk cacoon production. Kyembogo DATIC, a limited company that replaced the former Kyembogo District Farm Institute in Kabarole, Uganda, is promoting silk production supported by MATF. This is in-line with the strategic agricultural interventions for poverty alleviation under the strategic export programme in Uganda . The demand for silk in the international market continues to rise and Kyembogo DATIC estimates consumption at 120,000 tonnes silk yarn/year, priced at US$20-30/Kg. The technology provides a new opportunity for income generation in Kabarole District for small scale farmers. Unlike other crops whose returns are realized after 3-4 months, silk production provides quick returns to farmers in the form of a monthly income. However, silk farmers in the district are constrained by: < A lack of the recommended mulberry varieties and silk worms;< Inadequate knowledge and skills in silk production; and,< Inadequate capital for commercial silk production Kyembogo DATIC and its partners intend to tackle this through:< Establishment of low cost silkworm

December 2005 11

Overview of Selected Round 4 Projects

yields 1250-1500 ktgs per acre. Other breeds take 120-145 days and yield 800-1200 kgs. It also tillers freely and can grow on any type of soil apart from water logged or chalky soils. The project, which commenced in July 2005, is addressing production and marketing constraints that are related to lack of capital, poor crop management practices and poor access to good markets by the local farmers. It has the following specific objectives. < To promote the production of NARIC III Upland Rice among 20 farmers groups in Luweero district by 2007.< To improve the quality of NARIC III Upland rice through promotion of the good post harvest handling practices.< To develop an organized marketing system for NARIC III upland rice among farmers groups in Luweero district.< To document and disseminate project experiences to other stakeholders. VEDCO is working with the following partners to realise these objectives: < Farm Input Care Center (FICA) - for seed supply.< NAADS - research, technical and advisory support.< The Agricultural Engineering and Appropriate Technology Research Institute (AEATRI) - working under NARO, it will provide machinery for value addition.< District Production Department - extension support to farmers. The project is being implemented using various approaches as follows:< Community mobilization - through workshops. < Training in group dynamics - strengthening farmer groups. < Training in crop production - through workshops and on farm training. < Exposure visits - to other successful farms< Establishing demo gardens - training on proper farming practices.< Provision of basic inputs - farmers will be assisted to access inputs through cost sharing. < Training on marketing and linkages to organized markets (Post-harvest).

The mulberry plant , whose leaves are used for silkworm feeding.

TechnoServe, with funding assistance from MATF, has implemented

an innovative post-harvest processing and marketing initiative

aimed at improving smallholder Arabica coffee

quality in Tanzania.

Innovative technology changes the fortunes of smallscale coffee growers in Tanzania

Coffee is one of Tanzania’s largest export crops, generating $100 million annually. With 95 per cent of the coffee being grown by smallscale farmers, it is a product that has signifi cant impact on rural economies. Since 1995, the total export value of Tanzanian coffee has been decreasing by 14 per cent every year. Factors ranging from falling global prices to lower coffee quality and yields contributed to this decline. Through Technoserve, a non-profi t business development organization, MATF has been helping farmer-owned business groups to reverse this trend since 2004, and now many smallscale farmers are smiling all the way to the bank!

TechnoServe, with funding assistance from MATF, has implemented an innovative post-harvest processing and marketing initiative aimed at improving smallholder Arabica coffee quality in Tanzania. The key innovation is the introduction of Central Pulpery Units (CPUs) among farmer-owned business groups in the Southern highlands of Tanzania.

According to the Tanzania Coffee Board, only 1.7 per cent of coffee in Tanzania is considered high quality (Grade AA, Class 5 or better). Class 1-6 is designated as specialty coffee (in practice, class 4 is the best quality achieved in Tanzania). CPUs

Technoserve

Moving from Commodity Coffee to Specialty Coffee Through Technological Innovation:Central Pulperies

allow timely and uniform processing of large quantities of coffee cherry into high quality parchment coffee. This has helped the smallscale coffee growers meet the standards of the international specialty coffee market, and hence generate higher revenues for themselves. The specialty coffee market is currently the only market that yields attractive returns for farmers.

With collaboration from MATF, Technoserve has installed nine CPUs in the Kilimanjaro and Mbeya Regions of Tanzania, using the Penagus Pulpur technology from Colombia. These CPUs have been praised by smallscale operators as being simple to operate and maintain. Ecological benefi ts resulting from low-water usage, has made the technology appropriate for the drier regions of the Tanzanian Southern highlands. The technology has also eliminated the post-pulping fermentation process, where most errors would occur, resulting in inconsistency and reduced quality.

The installed CPUs have therefore greatly improved the quality of the coffee being produced by many rural farmers, who are organized in smallholder business groups. The groups are members of the Association of Kilimanjaro Specialty Coffee Growers (KILICAFE), a farmer association that was launched in 2001 by 11 farmer groups in northern Tanzania.

KILICAFE is Tanzania’s largest coffee farmer association with 80 member farmer groups representing more than 7,000 smallholder farmers from the Kilimanjaro, Mbinga and Mbeya growing regions. It provides fee-based credit and marketing services to the groups.

Angelus Nchimbi, a father of four and a smallscale coffee grower in the southern Mbeya Region of Tanzania, has seen his fortunes change dramatically since the introduction of the Central Pulperies in his Kipololo village. Before the installation, Nchimbi, as one of the coffee growers affected by the global coffee crisis of oversupply and static demand,described his earlier disappointment in the price trend of coffee.

“I will not forget the highest price I received in 1998. I managed to produce and sell 2,000kg of parchment coffee at a price of 1,300TSh (US$1.90) per kilogram. However, this was not sustainable because since

Angelus Nchimbi (left) and the Malala Kipololo secretary Edwin Kapinga, inside the Central Pulpery machine house, Mbinga District.

12 MATF Newsletter

MATF Project Spotlight: TechnoServe

then the price has been going down year after year to as low as 300Tsh (US$0.40) in 2001/02. It was so disappointing”, explained Nchimbi.

As the manager of Malala Kipololo Coffee Dealers in Mbinga District, he has seen production and quality levels rise since 2004, when TechnoServe installed a CPU in the village, with funding from MATF. He elaborates by saying, “My colleagues and I formulated our group with three main objectives: first, to produce large quantities of high quality coffee. Second, take advantage of the specialty

coffee market to obtain higher prices. Last, empowering ourselves to improve our standard of living.” He remarked that his group’s objectives seem to have been achieved even quicker than anticipated during the 2004-05 growing season, with the installation of the CPUs. The first groups to receive CPUs were:< Songambele in Mbeya;< Isansa in Mbeya;< Lingomba in Mbinga;< Mkuhi in Mbinga; and, < Lutondo in Mbinga “This year we produced 42 tonnes of class 5 parchment coffee compared to 26 tonnes of class 9 last season. On top of that, more than 28 tonnes were directly exported this year compared to nothing last season. As a result of this, and with the support from TechnoServe, we managed to export more than 70 per cent of our coffee produced this season and obtained a price of 1,640Tsh (US$1.60) per kilogram of parchment coffee compared to other non members who received an average of 1,050Tsh (US$1.00) per kilogram.”

He continued by stating that, “I personally managed to produce 1,500kg of parchment coffee this season, 40 per cent less than last season. However, my revenue has risen by 19 per cent compared to last season. My dreams are coming true, and my hopes are high.” TechnoServe, while liaising with MATF, has been providing support and training to farmer groups such as Nchimbi’s, through KILICAFE, to enable them to increase quality, access credit and improve marketing. As a result of the

quality coffee produced and excellent international image of KILICAFE, the groups’ coffee is being marketed to the most prestigious coffee buyers in the world.

In the first year of the project, five central pulperies collected a total of 83.7 metric tonnes of parchment coffee (Arabica), which was sold to specialty coffee buyers in USA, Europe and Japan. These were: < Peet’s Coffee & Tea (US); < Starbucks Coffee Company (US); < Dallis Coffee (US); < List & Beisler (Germany); and, < Volcafé Ltd (Japan) The participating groups received an average net sales price of US$1.65/kg parchment ($1.47/kg net, after processing & financing costs). This was 61 per cent higher than the price received by other groups (at $.85/kg) who did not have access to the technology. This price was after capital loan repayments, demonstrating significant premiums for participating smallholder coffee farmers.

A new construction of a drying table at Ichesa Group, Mbozi District, Mbeya Region. Inset is a photo of ripening coffee beans.

This achievement has generated lots of interest and enthusiasm from other farmers, previously not targeted. Technoserve has received numerous requests for assistance from these farmers, to establish their own central pulperies. Many of them are willing to invest their own capital to acquire the technology. With this level of interest, Technoserve and KILICAFE have worked together to identify additional resources to the MATF funds, to install four new central pulperies. These funds would come from loan repayments from groups which had previously received central pulperies and KILICAFE’s own cash reserves. TechnoServe is providing training to all central pulpery operators, with the support of MATF. Groups establishing new central pulperies are supported to select site location and plan construction. The groups thereafter commence construction of water infrastructure, drying tables and machine houses with their own funds. For many of these coffee farmers, this marks the beginning of increased yields and high quality produce that will earn them good dividends from the international markets. As Nchimbi, from the Malala Kipololo Coffee dealers group explains, the reversal of fortunes has enabled him to implement various activities with the revenues he obtained in the last growing season.

“I have two children who are in secondary school. I managed to pay half their school fees this year and am now confident that I can clear up my debts and still have enough money to invest elsewhere. I am planning to start up a carpentry business this year as well as repair my vehicle, which in previous days I used to rent for field activities such as goods transportation. But I’ve failed to run it in recent years due to increased living expenses and other parental responsibilities. Things seem to be positive again after a long period of discouragement.”

For Nchimbi and many other smallholder coffee growers in Kilimanjaro and Mbeya Regions of Tanzania, things are certainly looking up!

December 2005 13

Events this year

< 3rd Grant Holders’ Experience-sharing workshop

< Documentation & dissemination of best practices drawn from Round 1 and 2 projects

< Evaluation of Round 3 projects

< MATF participation in East Africa Agricultural Shows

UPDATES 2005

Extension projectsSeveral projects from Round 1 and 2 have earned an extension phase to enable them consolidate the impact activities through moving onto value adding and developing stronger market linkages. These are:< Orange flesh sweet potatoes - Community Mobilization Against Desertification (CMAD)< Cassava - Nakasongola District Farmers Association (NADIFA)< Tissue culture bananas – ISAAA

Annual fund review The MATF 2nd Annual fund review took place in August 2005 across the East African countries. The review took into consideration issues such as project implementation, project challenges and successes. It was conducted through observations and interactions with the beneficiaries, grantees and partners of selected projects. The annual fund review provides an opportunity for the panel members, donors and FARM-Africa to observe progress on the ground in terms of individual projects performance and challenges and to make recommendations to the fund management. This activity is carried out just before the grantees exchange of lessons learnt in the annual experience sharing workshop. It provides some ideas for MATF Advisory Panel (AP) members, donors and FARM-Africa for decision making on the way forward. Selected Round 2 and 3 projects were visited by the Donors and AP members.

Documentation & dissemination

Round 1 and 2 projects This commenced with the commissioning of an external consultant in August 2005. Seven selected projects drawn from Round 1 and 2 were invited to a communication training workshop in Nairobi, conducted by Mediae, from the 28-30 September 2005. The training offered valuable insights on how the projects could tailor their various communication strategies to their respective audiences and stakeholders. The exercise continues this year with interviews, video and photo shoots conducted at project level for MATF’s documentation. MATF mid-term evaluationThe mid-term evaluation was carried out from October to December 2005, and it covered the institutional structures and operations of MATF.

MATF Updates & Forthcoming Events

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 3rd Grant holders workshopThe 3rd experience-sharing workshop will be held in Arusha, Tanzania from June 4-10, 2006. Participants will be drawn from completed Round 3 projects, ongoing Round 4 projects in Tanzania, and other stakeholders.

Evaluation of Round 3 projectsEvaluation of Round 3 projects is set to begin in the 1st Quarter of 2006. Findings from this evaluation will be documented and disseminated to the MATF stakeholders in June 2006 during the 3rd experience sharing workshop.

MATF participation in regionalagricultural shows MATF plans to show-case some of the projects in its portfolio, and their technologies through selected agricultural shows in the East African countries. The programme is:< March 2006 - The Eldoret Agricultural Society Show (Kenya) < 1st Week August 2006 - The “Nane Nane” Agricultural Show (Tanzania) < 4th week August 2006 - The Mombasa Agricultural Show (Kenya)< September 2006 - The Nairobi International Trade Fair (Kenya) These shows offer an excellent forum for disseminating the beneficial impact of MATF’s funded projects to a wider audience.

MATF WEBSITE LAUNCHED:The new look MATF web site was launched by Hon. Mary Mugyenyi, State Minister in Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in Uganda, after opening the exprience sharing workshop on 8th August 2005. With her is MATF’s Dancan Muhindi and Monicah Nyang’.

14 MATF Newsletter

THE ANNUAL FUND REVIEW: David Hopkins, MATF Advisory Panel member, admires a beehive frame during a visit to the Canaan Women group at Mulot in Bomet District, Kenya. The project is implemented by K-REP Development Agency.

MAENDELEO AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FUND

Improving LivelihoodsThrough Innovat ive Par tnerships

The Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF) site is a good resource for any one interested in our activities over the last 4 years. There are numerous documents on the site that can be downloaded in PDF format for ease of storage and future reading. These documents contain valuable information on ongoing MATF activities and indepth reports. For Grant holders, there are various resources available for download to assist in project implementation such as EXCEL fi nancial worksheets on Budget templates, Quaterly fi nacial Reports and Budget Revision deadlines, and other templates that will ease project work.

Go on....Visit our site today and learn more about MATF!

INNOVATION

Transformingthe Vision into

Reality

FARM-Africa | MATFKenya Country Offi ceStudio House, 4th FloorArgwings Kodhek Road, HurlinghamP.O. Box 49502 - 00100Nairobi

Tel: +254 20 2732203/2732044Fax: +254 20 2732086

Email: info@maendeleo-atf.orgWeb sites: http://www.maendeleo-atf..org | www.farmafrica.org.uk

MATF | Improving Livelihoods through innovative Partnerships