Teagasc Supporting Farming in Kenya
Teagasc currently leads three dairy development projects funded by Irish Aid and the EU across three different countries in East Africa – Kenya, Eritrea and Tanzania. Paul Maher, Dr. Anne-Marie Butler and Dr. Edna Curley tell us more.
Combined, the three projects have an overall expenditure budget of €10m (Irish Aid and EU funds over five years) and are co-ordinated by Paul Maher, Head of International Relations, Teagasc. Each project provides support to institutions in each country that deliver research, education and advisory services (like Teagasc) to local farm families. Dairy production in this region is typically small scale (1-3 cows per household) and involves a lot of manual labour. Production systems are fragile and can be very heavily impacted by weather events, particularly persistent droughts.
The project funding allows Teagasc staff (and other Irish expertise) to work with colleagues in Africa to develop and implement climate smart systems of forage based dairy production. At farm level, the projects aim to increase milk sales and farm household income while reducing carbon footprint and milk production costs. The projects also support the local dairy research centres, education colleges and advisory services.
Teagasc Head of Education Dr. Anne-Marie Butler and Principal of Mountbellew Agricultural College Dr Edna Curley recently visited the project in Kenya. A busy week of travels allowed for great insight into the lives, family farms and education system of rural Kenya. Baraka Agricultural College (see map), which is a project partner, delivers education and training courses as well as advisory/extension services to local farmers. Baraka College, a daughter college of Mountbellew Agricultural College, was the base location for Anne-Marie and Edna where they were hosted by Baraka college staff including the recently retired Br. Tony Dolan. Across the week, there was meetings, discussion and first-hand experience of education and farming in Kenya.
A warm welcome from the Baraka College staff and retired Principal Brother Tony Dolan – Leitrim native. The college provides full residential accommodation for all students. Agriculture students complete Level 5 certificate studies.
Meeting with local female farmers to experience the power of knowledge transfer and the local community projects faciliated by staff from Baraka college. Farm size is typically 1/10 of an acre where families both live and farm. Crops include corn, potatoes and kale with the focus on kitchen gardens. The provision of running water for local communities was a recent, hugely significant milestone. Female farmers also make and sell crafts at local markets to supplement income.
With the support and guidance of the community officers, many of the local farmers are now keeping goats as an additional enterprise. Milk is used for domestic purposes with surplus sold for income. The sale of offspring each year also offers additional income. The Kenyan culture offers tea or a gift to all visitors. Anne-Marie and Edna were presented with fresh, home grown vegetables by this local farm family following a farm visit.
Students completed a five week course in hospitality in Baraka College. The course equips students with domestic skills and recipes to empower them to return home and produce products for sale from their home kitchens. Anne-Marie and Edna enjoyed a pop up café with full table service operated by the students as part of their final assessment. The students reside at the college during the course with many students travelling considerable distances to participate.
Anne-Marie and Edna enjoyed a powerful experience at Development Pamoja hosted by Cork man James Hennessy. Development Pamoja is an Irish charity working in rural Kenya to improve living standards and enable self-sufficiency through community based cooperative initiatives.
A lively, interactive and fun session with the female farmers from across the region. All present work with Development Pamoja and have made enormous gains in their farm productivity, resilience and profitability in the last three years. The group participate in table banking and collective use of farm machinery. The ladies are embracing the power of forage production and conservation. They farm in an arid region so water conservation is critical.
Development Pamoja support the local female farmers with low interest loans to facilitate the construction of water reservoirs for farm use. The reservoir shown was dug out by the farmers sons and subsequently lined. Funding was sourced from the table banking facility coordinated by Development Pamoja.
Anne-Marie Butler planting a tree in commemoration of the visit to Baraka College and a symbol of the growing ambition of Teagasc Education and Baraka College and the mutual benefits for all from enhanced and strengthened cooperation. Teagasc is assisting with the development of a new Level 6 course for Baraka College. It is also planned for Baraka staff to visit Mountbellew Agricultural College and complete relevant courses.
Meeting families was a powerful experience and one that will remain with Edna and Anne-Marie. Brother Tony has always focused on the power of the farm family and the long term benefits associated with empowering and developing the skills of farm families
Edna and Anne-Marie enjoying the beauty of The Rift Valley. Conclusions from the visit included the power of knowledge transfer, the importance of science and empowering farm families, the resilience of families and communities and the determination of the female farmers the ladies were so fortunate to meet. While Kenya is very different to Ireland, there are many similarities, mutual interests, strengths and challenges. The Kenyan people are warm, welcoming, resilient and embracing the power of agricultural science and community development. We look forward to supporting them on their learning and development journey.
Asante Sana
Swahili for “Thank You”