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The Kitale Event: Challenges of Resource Mobilization in Sustainable Development

This was the final Countrywide Event, held on 27 and 28 November 2003.  By this time, FORMAT staff and core participants were a bit worse for the wear, having participated in seven earlier events over the past four weeks, but their tasks were made much easier by the marvelous organization and hosting of the Manor House Agricultural Centre (MHAC). MHAC is based in Kitale Township within Trans Nzoia district and it is a leading non-governmental organization and training institute on organic agriculture in Kenya. Its training programs focus on bio-intensive agriculture in food production that involves deep soil penetration and recycling of organic matter into the soil. The institute offers a two-year certificate course, regularly organizes one-week workshops for farmers, and also holds courses for NGOs and extension workers.

There were 74 invited participants who presented 37 talks and 35 exhibits. Presentations focused on practices and challenges in organic resource management, dissemination of information and technologies, networking and community mobilization, and food and seed security. Group and panel discussions, and product and technology demonstrations supplemented the exhibits and presentations. The topics covered comprised information dissemination and extension (21), soil fertility management (19), value-added processing (12), waste management (6), resource conservation (6), traditional foods and plants (3), crop improvement (3), agricultural credit (2) and livestock management (2). The event was attended by participants from Uganda and several members of the PELUM network.  It also coincided with the graduation ceremony for MHAC students and members of Community Mini-Training Centers. Group discussions were organized to identify emerging technologies and suggest ways of implementing them, roles of participants and FORMAT in improving resource management, and ways to further strengthen FORMAT.

Outstanding technologies presented at the event were open pollinated maize varieties, composting, traditional vegetable production and ethno-veterinary medicines. Participants recommended the improvement of the capacity of CBOs and NGOs to promote exchange of information and products, organize village-level events and regional networks. Roles identified for FORMAT include lobbying for policy reform, preparing and disseminating information packages, conducting research and refining technologies. Participants suggested that summaries of the presentations, exhibits and other innovative technologies be more widely disseminated. It was also suggested that FORMAT establish a center for conducting technology demonstrations and provide technical support to innovators. Awards for winning exhibits were presented during the graduation ceremony that also enabled FORMAT to distribute several publications to community training centers, schools and colleges in attendance. The winning exhibits were as follows: “Farm Waste for Sustainable Development” by Gladys Wabuke of Utafiti Self Help Group (1^st); George Opondo’s  “Ethno-veterinary Medicine” (2^nd) and Lynette Wabusya’s “Organic Recipes” (3^rd). Our appreciation goes to the Director of MHAC, Mr. Emmanuel Omondi and his staff for co-funding and organizing this very exciting and informative final FORMAT Countrywide Event of 2003.