Countrywide Events

 

Participation in the FORMAT Countrywide Events

 

FORMAT conducted nine countrywide events in 2004 covering seven of Kenya’s eight provinces. Local organizers were drawn from past collaborators and provided the resources necessary to conduct their events.  Meanwhile, 13 innovators were organized into a group of “core” participants who presented talks and exhibits at all the events. Representatives from local development organizations and entrepreneurs also exhibited and gave demonstrations of their activities and products. Publications and various other products were distributed free-of-charge to thousands of participants, while numerous new contacts were made. Outstanding exhibits were awarded prizes which are aimed at recognizing and encouraging  innovation by community groups and individuals. A total of 6352 participants were registered by the organizers at 9 events. The events promoted several issues and technologies in organic resource management including integrated nutrient management, manure management, fortified composting, vermicomposting, bio-pesticide production and use, weed management, agro forestry, improved crop varieties, value-added processing of organic resources, traditional foods and plants, and environmental protection. Some of these technologies were further promoted through television features.

 

Category

Talks

Exhibits

Total

 

-------------number-------------

(%)

Value-added products

30

165

30.9

Soil fertility management

48

132

28.5

Traditional foods and plants

14

59

10.0

Crop improvement

15

39

8.5

Information dissemination

25

21

7.2

Waste recycling

10

23

6.8

Natural resource conservation

11

27

6.0

Livestock management

5

8

2.1

Total

158

474

100

 

 

National Museums of Kenya: Traditional Green Vegetable Symposium

 

This event was co-organized by the Kenya Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge, the International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI) and FORMAT, and conducted at the National Museums of Kenya from 30 June to 3 July 2004. During this event, FORMAT conducted a one day symposium with seven invited presentations, three live demonstrations and thirteen exhibits. The talks included “Kenya’s wealth of traditional green vegetables” (Maryam Imbumi, KENRIK), “Producing traditional green vegetables for market, a Women’s Group Experience” (Jennifer Etiang, St. Mark Women Group, Teso), “Field-scale production of traditional green vegetables” (Stephen Agong, JKUAT), “Preserving and processing traditional green vegetables: opportunities and bottlenecks” (Alice Masinde, ARDAP, Busia) and “Nutritive wealth in traditional pots: preparing Kenya’s important traditional vegetables” (Rose Juma, MoA, Nairobi).

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Mr. Andanje from the Ministry of Social Services demonstrates how to produce traditional salt.

In addition, there were exhibits and demonstrations by 42 community groups, private companies, research and public institutions, and NGOs from across Kenya. Approximately 5000 persons attended the event, allowing exhibitors to exchange information with a wide-cross  section of stakeholders including politicians, NGO and government officials, farmers, businesspersons, youth and women groups, and researchers. The event addressed issues related to production, value-added processing and marketing of traditional vegetables and foods, and their role in better nutrition and health.  FORMAT also tested its approaches to conducting rapid taste panels during this symposium.