Monday, September 15, 2014

Farmers' Dialogue and Manor House Agricultural Centre year (2014) activities

Bamboo production and marketing

Bamboo producersTraining in Bamboo production and marketing was organized by Manor House for Bamboo growers to enhance effective methods of growing this crop. Participants were sourced from TransNzoia and Bungoma Counties in Kenya and taken through theory and practicals The training was held on 5 July, 2014.

The training was needed by the community to encourage growers to increase their production to meet the increasing demand. This is because bamboo has gained recognition as a multipurpose plant and timber substitute.

Training session with Rosemary NamatsiThe following uses were covered;

  • Fencing
  • Farming; Tools, props or supports for horticultural crops eg flowers, peas, bananas
  • Construction
  • Handicraft; baskets, mats, toys, ornamentals, containers, musical instruments among others
  • Vegetable; edible shoots
  • Furniture; chairs, sofa sets and beds
  • Pulp and paper
  • Panels and particle boards
  • Fuel; stalks, charcoal, biodiesel etc

 

Julius Khakula sharing his bamboo production experienceAmong the trainees with existing bamboo plants were Kenya Farmers’ Dialogue team –Bungoma Julius Khakula and Malic Mondi, who were invited as Manor House partners in community development.
                                      
New farmers were encouraged to establish this crop to benefit from the current need for bamboo as a raw material for the above listed industries. Bamboo from natural sources growing on mountains and riverbanks cannot satisfy the market. ie wild bamboo is not enough.

Farmers growing Bamboo formed marketing groups in each County to enhance their marketing strategy and sales.

Chiza Zozo Biointensive Agriculture (BIA) training

Chiza ZoroChiza Zozo from DR Congo was sponsored by William Adlington through Farmers’ Dialogue International to learn BIA and dairy goats’ management, to improve her livelihood and also teach other women in the community to raise food and income. This is especially important for those women who have been violated during the war in her country.  

Rosemary, Chiza and MHAC Director Nicodemus on graduation dayShe was trained from 3 February to 26 April on; dairy goat management, Biointensive Agriculture farming techniques in crop production, agroforestry, value addition/Family nutrition and enterprise management.

Rosemary Namatsi