Wednesday 1 August 2012

FARMERS OPEN DAY AT KARI-KATUMANI ON 13TH JULY 2012.

FARMERS OPEN DAY AT KARI-KATUMANI ON 13TH JULY 2012.
Kari-katumani had for a long time been leading in generating technologies on dry land farming. However, after monitoring and evaluation of their activities by an external team, recommended was the idea of organizing a farmer’s open day to demonstrate this technologies to the farmers. This idea concurred with our thought of how to link the farmer groups to the technologies at the station by making of visits to the center and appreciating all these. Our dream came true this time round.
Kari-katumani had this mentioned date therefore organized a successful farmer’s open day at the station together with their partners. The opportunity of mobilizing farmers was given to the infonet/katoloni team which though was in short notice of 5 days; We managed to bring along 497 farmers for the event. The technologies demonstrated during the event included;
-Grain Amaranth (kisii white/Brown) and Amaranths variety (Bean intercrop and vegetable amaranth (KAT1/Bean intercrop)
-Black night shade variety
-Jute mallow (murenda)-katumani collection.
-cowpea variety (k80, m66, kvu27-1)
-soya bean variety-Nyala and EAL 36000)
-safflower variety: BJ 2027 AND BJ 1300
-Sunflower variety: Issanka
-Maize varieties-KDV1, KDV2, KDV3, KDV5, KDV 6, KH125-02.
- Beans varieties-KAT B1, KATB9, KAT, KAT X 56, KAT X69 and GLP 1004
-Sorghum/Beans intercrop.
-Sorghum varieties-Gadam, Serena and seredo
-Millet varieties, chick pea varieties Grams.
-Dolichos lap lap and pigeon peas
-Livestock-Dairy goats and cattle  among others technologies.
On the main addressing ground, several partners demonstrated their activities to farmers. This included Infonet-Biovision farmer communication stand, ATDC-Agricultural technology Development centre, Value addition department-katumani, sisal board, and Banks among others.
The katoloni/Infonet Team captured video clips during the event and will be edited and shared soon.
The occasion was crowned by the Machakos District commissioner, District officer-Machakos,Kari HQ representative,Infonet-Biovision farmer c. programme representative,D.A.Os-Machakos,Makueni and Athi-River,Kari-Katumani centre director,Deputy Center Director,scientists,katoloni farmers led by the coordinator –Regina  and other invited Guests.
NB;The KARI HQ representative Dr. Jack Ouda  requested that the scientist use local names linked to prominent persons or things behind the naming of various crop varieties so that farmers can differentiate  them easily.
-The District commissioner requested that Katumani continue planning for such events and he will be ready to attend and motivate farmers.
-The guests also visited our katumani-Infonet-katoloni office later after the event;Here are a few pictures captured during the event.
KARI-KATUMANI CENTRE DIRECTOR ADDRESSING FARMERS

MACHAKOS D.A.O ADDRESSING FARMERS
 


























































































MACHAKOS DISTRICT COMMISSIONER SIGNING A VISITORS BOOK AT INFONET OFFICE KATUMANI-BESIDE ANNE BRUNTSE-INFONET-BIO-VISION COORDINATOR

CENTRE DIRECTOR-DR.KARIUKI,DR.OUDA FROM KARI HQ AND REGINA-
AT THE RESOURCE CENTRE.



FARMERS LEARNING IN THE DEMO.PLOTS.
 

























Conclusion.
-farmers reactions were positive .Those interviewed said that they did not know whether there existed such useful technologies as demonstrated at katumani and vowed to implement. The deputy Center Director requested the katoloni/infonet team in collaboration with katumani outreach experts to make a follow up later then report the progress.

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