Date: February, 8th 2017
Venue: Sarova Panafric Hotel
Given that majority of Kenyan farmers are small-scale producers characterized by small land holding and limited use of modern technologies, there is no doubt that the sector will bank on appropriate innovations to increase agricultural output against the ever increasing demand for food.Adoption of improved seed varieties is widely recognized as a key driver in improving productivity and addressing food security. In recent years, technological advancement has led to increase in the number of higher yielding varieties that are able to perform optimally under different ecological environments. For example, there now exists more than 250 maize hybrid varieties in Kenya. However, the expected gains from adoption of these varieties has not been realized. This puzzle is partly explained by low use of complementary inputs such as fertilizer and poor agronomic practices.
Since 2012, researchers from Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University and the University of California, Davis have been undertaking a study on adoption of new hybrid maize varieties in mid-altitude Kenya. Preliminary results of the study are now ready for sharing with a wider audience for discussion and feedback. The research has implications for both seed systems and policy interventions for promoting technology adoption.
It is against this backdrop, that the research team organized a one day conference titled “Enhancing Small-holder Productivity in Kenya: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial of New Seed Varieties”. The conference will bought together policy makers, private sector, civil societies, practitioners, researchers of agricultural development, among others to discuss Kenya’s seed systems.
Presentations:
Diversity of Production Environments and Practices by Dr. Mary Mathenge, Director Tegemeo Institute
Productivity Profile under Different Technology Bundles by Dr. Tim Njagi, Research Fellow Tegemeo Institute
Filling a Niche? Findings from an Impact Evaluation of Maize Hybrids in Mid Altitute Zones by Prof. Michael Carter, Director, BASIS Research Program UC Davis, USA
How do Small Scale Farmers Learn About New Agricultural Innovations by Asst. Prof. Emilia Tjernstrom, University of Wisconsin, USA
View the Conference proceedings here ...
View the Conference Video Snippets here ...
