Thursday, July 26, 2012

The green revolution that offers youth a chance to mint millions



Armed with a wealth of experience from Israel, Gilad Millo is on a mission to make agribusiness appealing to the youth. Mr Millo, who is the head of business development at Amiran Kenya, has been at the centre of a campaign demonstrating how farming can be financially rewarding, just like any other profession that attracts the youth.

“Farming shouldn’t be taken as a last resort. Its potential is enormous, especially if the youth have it as the first job on the line. We are introducing greenhouses in schools, youth polytechnics and groups as part of an initiative to develop the next generation of farmers; Facebook farmers,” he told Money.

“The average age of the smallholder farmer in Kenya today is estimated at over 45 years. This means that in the next 20 years, a good number of them will have retired, yet the younger generation is not interested in farming,” Mr Millo noted.

Although the greenhouse technology has already won the hearts of several corporates, donor agencies, the horticulture sector keen on the export market and non-governmental organisations fighting hunger, it was yet to get significant traction on the national scale, especially among the younger population, as it is now doing after catching the eye of the youth fund.

Roses in one of Amiran Kenya’s commercial greenhouses. The company has partnered with other institutions to empower the youth in Kenya through profitable agribusiness projects. Photo/COURTESY 
Money follows the campaign to find out why thousands of young people are fighting to be on the shortlist of the 420 groups to receive smallholder farmers’ kits from Amiran Kenya; the benefits that the greenhouse concept presents; its challenges; what to look out for before sinking money in it; and why commercial banks and insurers are joining the fray.

Under the first phase of the Sh150 million Agri-Vijana Loan project being implemented in partnership with the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, every constituency will get two greenhouse kits.

A similar project is also underway, targeting 100 youth polytechnics across the country in the pilot phase. The entire project aims to install 600 kits. Almost every crop — from vegetables to flowers — can be grown under the greenhouse, but farmers must ensure that what they plant will have demand.

“Many of our clients have chosen to grow tomatoes because it is a high yielding cash crop. But there are others who are growing capsicums (pilipili hoho, which come in orange, red and green colours). These fetch high prices in the market, about Sh320 per kilogramme. Some youth at the Coast are growing sweet melons and cherry tomatoes,” Mr Millo said.

Farmers should also study how accessible the existing markets are for their produce because the goods are mainly perishable.

The total cost of the Agri-Vijana farmers kit (AFK) is Sh358,344. This includes two greenhouses, a drip irrigation system for the two greenhouses and a 400-metre open field, group training, agro support, insurance and eight per cent management fee. The loan has no interest fee, but the beneficiaries will be expected to raise 10 per cent of the initial cost.

The pilot project shows that it takes between one and two seasons to break even and start making profit, depending on the crop. A season is six months long. A complete greenhouse kit also comes with a collapsible water tank, and insurance for the crop.

“The kit also has an outside. You have the greenhouse growing cash crops but the outside, which is covered by drip irrigation for growing cabbages and sukuma wiki (kales) can provide additional income of about Sh100,000, depending on the crop,” Mr Millo said.

According to Amiran farmers, an 8-by-15-metre kit fetches between Sh250,000 and Sh380,000 while a 8-by-24-metre greenhouse can make between Sh350,000 and Sh550,000, depending on the crop’s market.

The fresh produce earnings put to shame crops like maize, where an acre produces an average of 15 bags which, at Sh2,800 per 90-kilogramme bag, fetch about Sh42,000 in a good season. “A women group in Kilifi that sold Sh120 per kilo of cherry tomatoes instead of the predicted Sh50 per kilogramme more than doubled our expected income calculations for them,” Mr Millo said.

But farmers will have to part with between Sh150,000 to Sh250,000 to have the kits installed. A complete kit comes with a package of seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and tailored training from Amiran’s agronomists.

The model farms are equipped with drip irrigation systems which feed water directly to the plant. The system is timed to drip only the needed water, cutting wastage to the bare minimum. Data from the youth fund shows that 264 youth groups have already applied for financing, laying claim to Sh93.6 million out of the Sh150 million up for grabs.


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Climate protection: International fellowships for young leaders

Interested candidates from developing and emerging countries can now apply again for an International Climate Protection Fellowship offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The deadline for application is 1 December 2012.
 
The International Climate Protection Fellowship brings young leaders from developing and emerging countries to Germany for twelve months. Before submitting their applications, they must have selected and established contact with an appropriate host university or institution, where they will carry out free, independent research on a subject connected with climate protection and resource conservation. The Humboldt fellows also engage in intensive discussion of their research findings, methods and techniques with their host institutions. This year, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation selects up to 15 young qualified leaders. 
 
To be eligible for a an International Climate Protection Fellowship, applicants must have gained a first degree in the last 12 years. They must also have a further academic or professional qualification or have worked in their chosen profession for at least four years. Leadership experience is also a selection criterion.
 
Tomorrow’s experts
 
The International Climate Protection Fellowships are primarily intended for people who are already engaged in climate protection,’ says Francois Buscot, a member of the selection committee. One of the key aims is to promote exchange of ideas among the recipients of the fellowship. To do that, they travel around Germany and get to know organizations engaged in the field of climate protection. The idea is that the fellowship recipients build up a network which they can then draw upon later when they are working around the world as experts in a range of fields.
 
A variety of additional benefits
 
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s support is not merely financial: the fellowship also includes a one or two-month intensive language course, an introductory seminar, training courses and a final meeting in Berlin for all fellows.
For further information and application, please refer to the website of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Combating Desertification – Grazing Management & Soil Conservation

MASHAV and CINADCO, invite professionals from the agriculture and rural development sector, from countries which suffer from desertification processes, to participate in this International Training Program.

Date: 5-21 November, 2012          
Venue: CINADCO Training Center, Israel 




Background
Desertification is the degradation of dryland ecosystems, caused by certain factors such as man’s  agricultural activities and climate change that transform fertile land to non-fertile land due to overexploitation and unsustainable practices. According to estimates by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), one quarter of the earth's land is threatened by desertification, and the livelihoods of over 1 billion people in more than 100 countries are also jeopardized as farming and grazing land becomes less productive.
Overgrazing is one of the factors for desertification. When grazing activity is not properly controlled,  overgrazing  removes the vegetation that prevents soil erosion and  it may subsequently take years to restore the soil’s fertility rate.
Israel, comprised almost entirely of drylands with the ever-present threats of soil degradation and desertification, has taken a number of countermeasures during the past several years to address and combat the desertification processes. Most of these measures have been within the framework of national and regional planning, environmental, and development strategies.
Natural control of free-ranging livestock herds has been combined with afforestation in vulnerable regions in active erosion control programs to regulate nomadic grazing, and to promote water-saving, salt tolerant crops together with advanced agricultural techniques. Considerable tracts of Israeli forests have been planted on lands that were degraded, frequently as a result of historic overgrazing or deforestation. These forest plots contribute directly to soil conservation, but are also used as a source for controlled grazing, in coordination  with pastoralists’ seasonal grazing schedules, thereby reducing grazing pressures in the region. Reduced grazing and the shading effect of the trees promote the rehabilitation of indigenous vegetation in many places, which further contributes to soil conservation.

Aims
The training program aims to share Israel’s experience and research in grazing management and soil conservation, taking into consideration the adaptability of methods and technologies (e.g. water harvesting, minimal tillage, no-tillage), to meet local conditions in each participant's country. After completion of this training it is envisaged that the participant will implement the planning, environmental, and development strategies or policies related to grazing control and soil conservation.

The Program
The training program will include professional lectures and visits on the following subjects: Grazing in Drylands,  Monitoring Natural Pastures, Natural Pastures and Forest Management, Grazing Statutes and Policy Implementations, Soil Conservation measures in arid lands, enhanced water use efficiency in arid and semi-arid regions, Soil and land restoration efforts as well as afforestation projects. The participants will also have the opportunity to participate in the 4th International Conference on Drylands, Deserts and Desertification which will take place at the Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sde Boqer Campus, 12-15, November 2012. Visit www.desertification.bgu.ac.il For more information.

Criteria
The training is geared towards professionals from developing countries which suffer from desertification and land degradation processes involved in agriculture and rural development. Candidates should hold an academic degree in related disciplines, and at least two years of professional work experience in related fields. Priority will be given to professional staff involved in national / regional  projects, with and/or under the aegis of governmental institutions, national and/or international organizations, research institutes, universities, NGOs, etc. A full command of English is required.

Application
Application forms and other information may be obtained at the nearest Israeli mission and at Israel's Foreign Ministry's website. Completed application forms, including the medical form should be sent to the relevant Israeli mission and to the CINADCO Training Center in Israel until the 23rd September, 2012.  Fax No: +972 9 959 5733 or E-mail: english@cinadco.co.il

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Agriculture and environment in a changing climate - the Israeli perspective


MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, and CINADCO - Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation, in association with the ARO Volcani Center's Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences invite professionals to participate in this international course.


Date: November 27th – December 18th, 2012
Venue: CINADCO's Training Centre, the Volcani Agricultural Complex, Israel. 

About the course
Background
The increase in quantities of atmospheric greenhouse gases over the last 150 years and its influence on climate has become a major contemporary concern. In the Eastern Mediterranean, climate models predict increased temperatures and decreasing rainfall in the coming decades. This can lead to profound impacts on the environment, and requires adaptation steps in all sectors, including agriculture, to prevent detrimental results.

Israel has semi-arid and arid climates, and suffers from frequent drought years. Pressure on Israel's water resources has challenged its aquifers both in quantity and quality. In order to maintain its intensive agricultural production under these harsh conditions there has been a constant drive to (a) increase water use efficiency by utilizing improved understanding of soil properties, crop water use, and atmospheric demand for evapotranspiration, (b) to use new resources (e.g. marginal water) and (c) to develop new techniques and methodologies that enable the practice of sustainable agriculture. Solutions adopted include improved irrigation practices, replacing fresh water with treated urban/domestic sewage water for irrigation of many crops, amendment of soils with composted sewage sludge and breeding of varieties with greater resistance to marginal water. At the same time attention has been given to the environmental aspects of these practices so as to prevent contamination of soil and aquifers.

Aims
Upon their return to their home countries, it is expected that participants should be able to:
  • Initiate and conduct research needed for improving crop water use and irrigation.
  • Initiate and conduct research needed for optimizing the use of marginal waters (saline and treated sewage) for irrigation for a wide range of crops with minimal risks to the environment.
  • Contribute to the scientific knowledge on these subjects in their home countries.
  • Maintain the scientific relations formed during the course and implement combined agricultural projects and joint research between Israel and their respective organizations. 

Qualifications
The Course is designed for researchers, academic staff of agricultural research institutes and universities and senior executive staff active in areas related to the subject matter of the course. Applicants should have relevant academic degrees and at least 3 years’ experience in their work.

Application forms
Application forms and other information may be obtained at the nearest Israeli mission and at Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Completed application forms, including the medical form should be sent to the Israeli mission in your area and also faxed or e-mailed to the CINADCO Training Center in Israel: Fax no: +972 3 9485771 / e-mail: sigalp@moag.gov.il

See more information here.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Agribusiness - A Tool for the Empowerment of Rural Women

An International Course 15th - 31st  October, 2012

Venue: MCTC - The Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (15th – 22nd October, 2012) and CINADCO – Training Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation (23rd - 31st October, 2012)

Requirements   
The course is geared towards professionals involved in agriculture and rural development. Candidates should hold an academic degree in related disciplines, and at least two years of professional work experience in related fields. Priority will be given  to professional staff involved in national / regional  projects, with and/or under the aegis of governmental institutions, national and/or international organizations, research institutes, universities, NGOs, etc. A full command of English is required. 

Application
Application forms and other information may be obtained at the nearest Israeli mission and on Israel's Foreign Ministry's websiteCompleted application forms, including the medical form, should be sent to the relevant Israeli mission, who will forward them to the MCTC Training Center in Israel, by  or  before 15th August, 2012.  

See course background, aims and more information here.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Integrated pest management and food safety


The challenge of combining pesticide use and ensuring safe food
 
03 – 21 June 2013, Wageningen, The Netherlands
 
-      NFP Fellowships available – apply before 2 October 2012   -
 
Introduction
In recent decades, consumers have become increasingly concerned about the quality and safety of their food. Public and private standards for pesticide residues have become stricter than ever before. But while there are plentiful technical solutions, the application of integrated pest management (IPM) is still a struggle for many farmers. Read more
 
Application
Interested candidates can apply to Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation for admission to the training. Click here to apply.
 
NFP Fellowships
A limited number of fellowships is available from Nuffic - the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for nationals of certain countries. In order to apply for such a NFP fellowship, you have to register through the Nuffic Scholarship Online (SOL) system. Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted before 2 October 2012. You will be informed by Nuffic whether your application has been accepted. More information on the NFP fellowships.
 
Important
Please note that for a valid NPF fellowship application you need to register directly at CDI as well as at Nuffic (SOL). Your fellowship application will not be taken into account if you register with only one of these two institutions. 

Please share this info with your colleagues and other professionals in your network.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Agriculture in transition: International course on


13 -24 May 2013, The Netherlands CRM:0018385

Introduction
To go beyond just an increase in outputs to feed 9 billion people in 2050, an integral redirection of current farming practices is required. Nowadays there is a compelling need for creative thinkers that lead the way to innovative and more sustainable agricultural production. This two weeks intensive course will give you new tools and perspectives to become one of them. Read more
 
Application
Interested candidates can apply to Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation for admission to the training. Click here to apply.
 
NFP Fellowships
A limited number of fellowships is available from Nuffic - the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for nationals of certain countries. In order to apply for such a NFP fellowship, you have to register through the Nuffic Scholarship Online (SOL) system. Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted before 2 October 2012. You will be informed by Nuffic whether your application has been accepted. More information on the NFP fellowships.
 
Important
Please note that for a valid NPF fellowship application, you need to register directly at CDI as well as at Nuffic (SOL). Your fellowship application will not be taken into account if you register with only one of these two institutions.

Please share this info with your colleagues and other professionals in your network.

Training of trainers on IWRM: International course on

Facilitating water steward from a basin perspective



27 May – 14 June 2013, Wageningen, The Netherlands



-      NFP Fellowships available – apply before 2 October 2012   -



Introduction

One of the difficulties to use water wisely, is the division of responsibilities between different authorities. Often, this results in fragmented and competitive approaches in the use of rivers, lakes, wetlands and other water resources. Yet for current and future water security it is vital to maintain and restore wetlands as a critical water infrastructure.  Read more
   
Application
Interested candidates can apply to Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation for admission to the training. Click here to apply.
 
NFP Fellowships
A limited number of fellowships is available from Nuffic - the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for nationals of certain countries. In order to apply for such a NFP fellowship, you have to register through the Nuffic Scholarship Online (SOL) system. Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted before 2 October 2012. You will be informed by Nuffic whether your application has been accepted. More information on the NFP fellowships.
 
Important
Please note that for a valid NPF fellowship application you need to register directly at CDI as well as at Nuffic (SOL). Your fellowship application will not be taken into account if you register with only one of these two institutions.

Please share this info with your colleagues and other professionals in your network.

Competing claims on natural resources: International course on

Managing conflict over the use of natural resources
 
04 – 15 March 2013, Wageningen, The Netherlands
 
-      NFP Fellowships available – apply before 2 October 2012   -
 
Introduction
Conventional approaches tend to perceive either the state, or the community, or the market as being capable of offering easy solutions to resource conflicts. Practice however proves different. To deal with conflicting interests and power imbalances, you'll need a competing claims approach on natural resources. This two week course provides you tools for natural resource management, based on extensive research. You will apply them directly to case studies provided by participants. Read more
 
Application
Interested candidates can apply to Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation for admission to the training. Click here to apply.
 
NFP Fellowships
A limited number of fellowships is available from Nuffic - the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for nationals of certain countries. In order to apply for such a NFP fellowship, you have to register through the Nuffic Scholarship Online (SOL) system. Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted before 2 October 2012. You will be informed by Nuffic whether your application has been accepted. More information on the NFP fellowships.
 
Important
Please note that for a valid NPF fellowship application you need to register directly at CDI as well as at Nuffic (SOL). Your fellowship application will not be taken into account if you register with only one of these two institutions.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Web 2.0 and Social Media Learning Opportunity September 24-28, 2012



Venue: Moi University, Main Campus, School of Information Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya,
Dates: September 24-28, 2012
Technological innovation is taking place at a breath-taking pace. Simple, open source internet-based applications and services designed to enhance on-line collaboration are now available to the wider public at little or no cost at all. These new online technologies known as Web 2.0 and Social Media applications enable people to collaborate to create, share and publish information.
The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation EU-ACP (CTA) has a mandate to facilitate access to and dissemination of information in the fields of agriculture and rural development in 78 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). Supporting the adoption of Web 2.0 applications represents a great opportunity for meeting it.

Moi University, School of Information Sciences in collaboration with CTA will host a 5-day Web 2.0 Learning Opportunity on 24-28 September, 2012. Participants will be introduced to selected web 2.0 applications including social media and will learn how to use them hands-on.
The Learning Opportunity will cover advanced online searching, getting information served via alerts and RSS, collaborating remotely using wikis and Google Docs, using VoIP, online mapping and social networking. Participants will get a chance to see what others have done, get hands-on experience on how to use innovative applications, and assess how they could adopt these innovations within the context of their work and organisation.
These Learning Opportunity form part of CTA initiatives that support development partners in networking, accessing and disseminating information more effectively.
Programme of the Learning Opportunity
  • Introduction to the participatory World Wide Web (Web 2.0)  and to social media;
  • Search Magic: How to conduct advanced multilingual online searches;
  • Information Self Service: How to get selected information served to you via alerts and RSS feeds;
  • Remote collaboration: How to develop content remotely using wikis and Google Docs;
  • Online mapping: How to locate your organisation and your projects on an online map;
·         How to communicate voice over the internet at no cost;
·         Online publishing (micro-blogging and blogging);
·         Professional / corporate social networking (LinkedIn and Facebook);
·         Web 2.0 self-instruction (introduction to IMARK)

Participants - Eligibility and responsibilities
Participation in the Learning Opportunity is free of charge, but subject to acceptance by the organisers. 25 participants will be accepted for the event.

Eligibility criteria
·         be computer literate and conversant with browsing the Internet;
·         have regular access to a computer (ownership of a computer is an advantage);
·         be in a position to take along a WIFI-enabled laptop to the training;
·         be competent in  the use of the English language;
·         have an active e-mail account;
·         be actively engaged in agriculture and rural development / natural resource management / biodiversity conservation in the domains of ICT for development (ICT4D), policies, markets; publishing, communication and media; and
·         be resident in Kenya;

Responsibilities
Accepted participants will be responsible for all costs related to their travel to and from the venue at Moi University, Main Campus, School of Information Sciences, their accommodation, breakfast and supper, their daily subsistence allowances, and for bringing their own WIFI-enabled laptop to the Learning opportunity.

Entitlements
During each event, the organisers will provide lunch and refreshments and distribute copies of CTA publications and instructional material.

How to apply
If you are interested in applying, please click on this link to complete the online form.

Deadline for applications: August 16, 2012
Feedback
The organisers will inform successful applicants about the status of their application two week before the commencement of the course. Successful applicants will receive confirmation letters and others will also be duly informed of the results of their application.

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