Immaculate Maina, Maureen Miruka, Josiah Gitari, Mabel Mahasi and Festus M. Murithi

1. Enhancing Research-Extension-Farmer learning networks within agri-food systems of
small-scale farmers of Central Kenya
Immaculate Maina, Maureen Miruka, Josiah Gitari, Mabel Mahasi and Festus M. Murithi
Abstract Materials and methods Results Conclusions
Study sites Innovative structures and systems  Smallholder farmers in different agri-food system have
The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and its many different strategies and innovations that through the
partners have developed many technologies in agriculture. Of consultative effort of research, development and public
 Reaching the hard-to-reach in marginal areas – more than
concern is how to scale-up and scale-out these technologies to policy can be mobilized for development of agricultural
60% of the country
leverage societal benefits to enable men and women in systems. Therefore it is necessary to rethink agri-food
farming households take charge of their production bases. systems to take into account variation, complexity and
 Experimenting with locally important, underutilized and uncertainty in different agro-ecological zones
Lessons from farmers’ demonstration plots and field days of
neglected crops to harness their potential and exploit
the project funded by the International Development Research
opportunities - practical and impact oriented research as
Centre (IDRC): “Making agri-food systems work for the rural  Effective participatory learning processes enable
opposed to ideologies (indigenous crops)
poor in Eastern and Southern Africa” are presented. Through smallholder farmers assess research results and apply
action research, the project scaled-up a range of technologies them to their particular circumstances and allow
 Focusing on crops with good potential – market demand, interactions with researchers and extension agents on a
for improving the productivity and marketability of traditional Mbeere Kirinyaga Nyandarua culturally acceptable, high income earners, adapted to more demand driven basis to solve specific problems
“orphan” crops that enhance food and nutrition South West North District local conditions
security, provide income opportunities and diversify farming District District
systems. This was by focusing on and giving more  Uptake, promotion and scaling up of locally important
Land type Semi-arid Mid-lands Highlands  Taking the Agri-food system approach further to
consideration to the interactions/back and forward linkages neglected and underutilized crops to promote agricultural
incorporate productivity, value chains and governance
that exist between productivity, sustainable natural resource production with a focus on smallholders requires;
management, efficient markets and policies. This is unlike Agro- LM4/5 UM3/4 H3/LH2  Better policies and governance of agri-food systems
 Building resilience to food crises and strengthening local
conventional research approaches and interventions that ecological
innovations by deepening understanding of the drivers  More efficient value chains for the neglected crops
almost always address each of these factors in isolation. The zones that are locally important for income, food and
and dynamics of vulnerability, adaptation strategies and
project sites were in different agro-ecological zones. These Livelihood Acute food Borderline Unexploited high resistant to climate shocks
local innovations
represented farmers living under acute food and livelihood status and food security potential
crises in the lower midlands (LM4/5) of Mbeere South district; livelihood
those experiencing borderline food insecurity in the upper  Diversified farming systems that enable smallholders to
crises Progressive learning for problem solving with action spread risks, enhance food and nutrition security, gain
midlands (UM3/4) of Kirinyaga West District and others with research to implement effective research and income opportunities and adapt to climate change issues
low resilience, in the highlands (UH3/LH2) of Nyandarua North Multidisciplinary food systems approach development for improved livelihoods and the require enhanced research-extension-farmer linkages
District. Learning networks developed around demonstration environment
plots and farmer field days yielded lessons in local References
organizational development, action planning, and experiential
learning through trying out new ideas and options and Brooks, S. and Loevinsohn, M. (2011) Shaping agricultural innovation
evaluation of the action by the people involved in the process.  Access to technical  Shared creativity and systems responsive to food insecurity and climate change. Natural
Additionally, unlike many Research and development (R&D) information learning through Resources Forum 35 (2011) 185–200
iterative reflection Ericksen, P.J. (2006). Conceptualizing Food Systems for Global
projects that often relegate knowledge, strategies and Environmental Change (GEC) Research. Global Environmental
innovations intrinsic to local communities; this project shows  Shared problem and Change and Food systems (GECAFS), Working Paper 2. NERC-
that active local participation including decision-making in the opportunity among  Development of local
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, UK
research process, remains a relevant and powerful means of researchers, farmers organizational Fenta T. and Assefa, A. (2009) Harnessing local and outsiders’
enhancing learning networks among researchers, extension and extensions capacity for collective knowledge: Experiences of a multi-stakeholder partnership to
agents and small-scale farmers in Kenya. agents action promote farmer innovation in Ethiopia. In: Sanginga, P.C., Water-
Bayer, A., Kaaria, S., Njuki, J. and Wettasinha, C. (Eds.). Innovation
Africa, Enriching farmers’ livelihoods. Earthscan, United Kingdom.
Objectives Milton, C. and Ochieng O. (2007). Development through positive
deviance and its implications for economic policy making and
The overall goal is to enhance adaptation of pro-poor agri-food Demonstration Farmer Field
Schools public administration in Africa: The Case of Kenyan Agricultural
plots
system innovations to improve food security and sustainable Development, 1930–2005. World Development Vol. 35, No. 3, pp.
natural resource management in Eastern and Southern Africa 454–479, 2007, Elsevier Ltd.
(ESA) region. On– farm experimentation Acknowledgements
 The design is Partially Balanced Incomplete Block Design Mother-Baby Farmer Field
Specific objectives: trials Days We are grateful to the Director, KARI for the support to undertake this
 To identify and promote local innovations and adaptation (PBIBD). Treatments: Varieties x Fertility x Crop project. We acknowledge with thanks the International Development
strategies that work for the poor rural men and women to management Research Cooperation (IDRC) for funding this work as part of the
cope with food security vulnerabilities  Mbeere: Pearl Millet, Sorghum, Cowpeas, Pigeon regional project "Making agri-food systems work for the rural poor in
 To adapt and scale up technology and market innovations Peas and Green Grams  Effective research  Scaling-up and Eastern and Southern Africa" through the IDRC Grant Number
 Kirinyaga: Sorghum, Cowpeas, Pigeon Peas, Green 105790-003. The contribution of the extension staff, the field
for promoting orphan crops that enhance food security, design scaling out
Grams, Sweet Potatoes and Dolichos enumerators and the farmers who participated is also highly
increase incomes and ecosystem integrity in selected areas appreciated.
of Kenya  Nyandarua: Sunflower, Dolichos, Lima Beans and  Effective cross-  Facilitation and
 To analyze and promote specific policies and governance Sweet Potatoes disciplinary negotiation at
 Mother-Baby trials Contacts
mechanisms for sustainable agri-food systems learning different levels
 To determine mechanisms for scaling up agri-food systems  Farmer field schools Immaculate N. Maina (PhD). Senior Research
and sustainable agriculture  Demonstration plots and Farmer field days Officer, KARI, Headquarters. Inmaina@kari.org;
Immaculate.N.Maina@gmail.com
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