18 6 2013 Enhancing Production Postharvest handling Value

18. 6. 2013 Enhancing Production, Postharvest handling, Value Addition and Marketing of Indigenous vegetables (Cowpea, Nightshade, pumpkin, Amaranth, Spider plant), Mushrooms and French Beans among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya Lead Scientist: Prof John H. Nderitu, MKU Collaborators: Prof Dorcas K. Isutsa, Chuka University Prof Richard Mulwa, Egerton University Dr Margaret Hutchinson, UON Mr Fredrick Musieba, KIRDI Dr Esther Kioko, NMK Dr Andika, Jaramogi Odinga Ondiga University

Presentation outline 1. 2. 3. 4. General achievements Specific achievements- specific vegetable Lesson learnt Area of deepening the project: Nightshade

Achievements: General • Vegetable value chain workshop held on 15 th September 2011 at Bukura, Kakamega County • Annual vegetable project planning workshop held on 11 th February 2003 at National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi • Workshop on Amaranth held in Ruiri in Meru with 105 participants (74 of those were women) • French Bean Farmer Field School for three months at Embu • French Bean pest and diseases one day training at Embu • Stakeholder consultative meetings/seminars/workshops • Surveys- market surveys and baseline surveys

Achievements : Trainings No. Student name Level of study (BSc. , MSc. , Ph. D) Year of study Research Project title Nature of participation 1 Bernard Ogolla Ouma Msc 2012 Research Assistant 2 D. M. Wahome M. Sc. 2 3 M. M. Mahiga M. Sc. 2 4 J. K. Kirimi Ph. D. 2 5 J. K. Wanjiku Ph. D. 2 6 Francis Muniu M Sc 2 7 Francis Muniu M Sc 2 Integrated Management of thrips on French Beans in Embu East Investigation of defoliation and mineral nutrient management effects on pumpkin fruit and leaf yields Effects of defoliation and irrigation water management effects on pumpkin fruit and leaf yields in the Kenyan highlands Evaluation, characterisation and development of pure seeds of dual-purpose pumpkin landraces in Kenya Diversification of processing and utilisation of dualpurpose pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) in Kenya Collection, characterization and Evaluation Of Vegetable Cowpea Accessions and Response of Selected Accessions to Organic and Inorganic Sources Of Nitrogen In Coastal Kenya Research Assistant Research Assistant

Achievements: Trainings No. Student name 8 Onesmus Muasya Level of study (BSc. , MSc. , Ph. D) Year of study Msc 2 Research Project title Kyambo 9 Nature of participation (i. e. Enumerator; Research Assistant; etc. ) Factors affecting adoption of amaranth for agribusiness by small scale farmers in Buuri district, Meru county, Kenya Research scholar registered at Egerton University An integrated pest management approach of amaranth insect pests in Meru county Kenya Research scholar registered at JUAT Kagali robert Nesta Msc 2 10 Selpha Naliaka. Jumah Msc 2 Management of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp) Research scholar insect pests in Western Kenya using Integrated Pest registered at Eldoret Management (ipm) strategies University Msc 1 On station experiments to increase productivity with deflowering and NPK fertilizer/ manure applications 11 ?

Achievements : Other Capacity Building No. 1 Name of training & year held Siaya county AIVs stakeholders forum (Promoting production, marketing and Utilization of African Night shades) Held on 17 th December 2012 Category of participants 1. 2. 3. 4. Females Small scale AIV 7 farmers Mo. A extension agents from Siaya county School of Agriculture Bondo University, Crop science department staff. Partners( KARI kisii, Horticulture dept. JKUAT) Participation Males Youth Total 18 6(note 25 these have been include d in females and males counts) Location/Ve Training nue days IIAC, Bondo One day University Training output -identified key challenges to AIV production in Siaya county -participants sensitized on importance of night shades -identified possible successful marketing channels for night shades. Production knowledge 2 IPM Farmer Field School at Embu East 30 20 10 3 33 Runyenjes 3 months , Embu East 3 French Bean Pest and Disease training 50 20 10 80 Runyenjes , Embu East I day

Achievements Specific vegetable

Achievements: Mushrooms • Baseline survey has been done • Production trials are being undertaken at laboratory level • Pest management through IPM approach being undertaken at Marama West, Kakamega County (M. Sc. Student) • Product transformation technologies are being evaluated • Mushroom recipes have been developed and booklet compiled

Some samples of mushrooms collected and identified from Kakamega County

Termitomyces sp. mushroom spawn

Pleurotus citrinopileatus mushroom growing on sugarcane bagasse at KIRDI’s mushroom pilot plant

Achievements: Nightshade Ø Stakeholders in Siaya County sensitized on value and importance of AIVs- Nightshade through a stakeholders forum and participatory on-farm evaluations Ø Consumer preferences and challenges to AIVs-Night shade production in Siaya county identified through survey. Ø Most preferred variety of night shade among farmers in Siaya county identified through participatory evaluations.

Nightshade Interaction with AIV traders at Siaya Market during the survey to determine pricing trends and consumer preferences on AIV vegetables

Achievements: Nightshade On station nightshade production for demonstration and education to local AIV farmers on cultural best cultural practices.

Achievements: Nightshade The AIV stakeholders engaging one of the local NGO’s CEO on their role in information dissemination on AIVs in Siaya county

Achievements: Spider plant Production of vegetables enhanced through IPM: • On-station clean seed production experiments carried out. • Spider plant production technology mainstreamed – planting, bed preparation, incorporation of nutrient and soil management practices, seed sowing and early crop care • On station experiments to increase productivity with deflowering and NPK fertilizer/ manure applications (1 MSc student developing proposal).

Achievements: spider plant Post harvest handling, value addition and utilization of vegetables enhanced: • Crude bulk handling of vegetables evaluated and farmers sensitized on loses caused. • Mainstreaming use of produce crates for bulk handling of vegetables

Achievements: spider plant Mechanisms for information, communication and knowledge sharing on vegetables, along the value chain enhanced : Spider plant planning meetings held at various dates in 2012. Brochure for spider plant production in preparation

Spider plant Demonstrating bed preparation at the Kendu bay site – In the picture: Drs. Ogendo, Mulwa, Matofari, MOA staff and members of sang’gare group Dr. Ogweno walks Sang’are group members through their seed production demonstration plot. Dr. Ogweno handing over produce crates for hygienic and improved vegetable bulk handling to the Sang’are group at the Kendu bay site Prime vegetative growth on spider plant after 4 harvest rounds

Spider plant On station seed production (A&B) and deflowering experiment to extend vegetative phase of spider plant (C)

Achievements: cowpea 1. Stakeholder needs established and understood 2. Baseline data on buyer-seller information in Coast Province obtained and being compiled 3. Germplasm of 30 cowpea accessions collected from farmers 4. Primary screening of superior cultivars undertaken 5. Evaluation of the 28 accessions on growth and development, yield and farmer-preference attributes and top performers selected for further agronomic trials

Achievements pumpkin: • Germplasm collection, evaluation and selection done • Seed bulking and distribution of selected pure seeds of pumpkins done Conclusions: • There is great variation in pumpkins in Kenya • Cultivars seem to be interbreeding a lot • Conservation of naturalized germplasm needs to be expedited to save it from further distortion and extinction Mineral nutrients sources and effects on fruit and leaf vegetable yields • FYM was superior to NPK

Achievements French beans Farmers knowledge of pests and their management practices Challenges to French bean production at Embu East District French bean marketing and certification status Effect of integrating biological, synthetic and botanical pesticides on thrips infestation and yield of French beans • Effect of different pesticide spray regimes on yield of French beans and cost benefit analysis • Enhancing capacity of French beans farmers and extension service providers through Farmer Field School • •

Achievements: French beans Sorting out beans in the field training farmers in Embu

Achievements: Amaranth • Stakeholders adequately consulted • Amaranth market outlet identified • Demonstration of Amaranth planting done in collaboration with commercial seed experts • A need assessment along the value chain initiated • On-farm seed storage methods used by farmers documented • Majority of farmers used own seeds • Local/farmers seed lots assessed for quality

Achievements: Amaranth • Survey on insect species/genus distribution done • Control methods of pests on Amaranth poorly understood • Majority 57% felt market prices were low

Achievements: Amaranth Seed production on-farm in Ruiri, Meru Awareness creation of amaranth at the demonstration plot at Meru

Achievements: Amaranth A sample of insect Pests infesting Amaranth in the Field in Meru

Lesson learnt

Lesson learnt Mushrooms • Collaboration is key to the success of research work • There is need to engage commercial partners to drive the agribusiness. • Feasibility studies must be undertaken before commercial up-scaling of the research outputs.

Lesson learnt Spider plant: • Is a popular vegetable but its production is still low – limited to small kitchen based production in most farms/ homes. • There’s enthusiasm on the business potential around the crop. • Vegetable not consumed singly, usually mixed with others in a dish – Farmers also want to be taught how to produce the others. • There’s potential for developing mixed culture systems to harvest and package the vegetables together – value added.

Lesson learnt nightshade Ø Cultural beliefs and stereotypes are still associated to AIVs but with more information and awareness campaigns this is being reversed. Ø AIVs have the potential to improve household daily nutritional requirements and economic status. Ø The farmers in Siaya county have limited access to supply of clean planting AIV seeds.

Lesson learnt: Spider plant • Is a popular vegetable but its production is still low – limited to small kitchen based production in most farms/ homes. • There’s enthusiasm on the business potential around the crop. • Vegetable not consumed singly, usually mixed with others in a dish – Farmers also want to be taught how to produce the others. • There’s potential for developing mixed culture systems to harvest and package the vegetables together – value added.

Area of deepening the project

Areas for deepening Spider plant • 1. Seed production aspects – training of farmers to be able to produce high quality seed. • 2. Upscaling activities on post-harvest technologies – Bulk handling, packaging & storage • 3. Value addition aspects - drying and milling technologies to create porridge formula mixtures. Milled products could be used as additives to baby food and soups.

Area of deepening the project: Nightshade • Seed system • Postharvest technologies and handling to minimise losses • Improved marketing of nightshades

Area of deepening the project: cowpea 1. Development and promotion of adoption of value-addition options for cowpeas such as: sun-drying, solar drying, drying under protected shades, blanching, evaporative cooling, use of modified atmosphere packaging such as Activebag®, freeze drying (and their treatment combinations) 1. Evaluation of the effect of the various value addition options on the nutritional quality and preservation of freshness of cowpeas 1. Determination of consumer preferences and consumer acceptance of value-added products of cowpeas

Area of deepening the project: French beans • Enhancing capacity of farmers and service providers on GLOBALGAP • Improving marketing opportunities for the French beans • Increase information sharing, communication and knowledge sharing along the French bean chain • Improvement of product quality and utilization

Area of deepening the project: Amaranth • Post-harvest and agronomic practices • On-farm participatory seed production and bulking • Foster amaranth marketing networks across value chain

Area of deepening the project: Nightshade Ø Seed multiplication and processing procedures to be enhanced to enable sustained clean seed supply. Ø Post handling techniques to be explored deeply to allow minimize losses during periods of good harvest. Ø Improve marketing channels among small scale producers to avoid exploitation by middle men.

Areas of deepening: Mushrooms • Value addition and diversification of products • Enhancing the capacity of farmers to produce mushroom spawn by establishing spawn production centre at farm level or RSU offices. • Engage private entrepreneurs to take up the technologies generated as business ventures

Areas of deepening: Pumpkin Assess requirements of novel marketing arrangements for IVs Introduce selected novel marketing arrangements for IVs

THANK YOU END