By Consolata Achieng Norbert | Director
I. PROJECT SUMMARY The Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust Kenya is currently implementing a rural agribusiness project to enable 1500 farmers acquire a sustainable livelihood. The project is supported through global giving crowdfunding. The project is estimated to cost USD 35,714, so far USD 9,166 has been raised. The project targets 1500 farmers living in Wangchieng location of Homa-Bay County- Kenya. The project aims to: 1) Build silo storage for grains 2) A digital based farmers’ information management system and resource center will be developed and mobile-phones linked for timely feedback and information dissemination 3) Purchase a tractor for cultivation and transport. 4) Cold storage, cottage-industry size processing plants for honey, fruits and peanut butter will be installed. 5) Complete its existing farmers’ training center and additional hostels In the order of priority. Having received USD 9,166 in the month of May 2018, the organization initiated the construction of a silo storage for grains at the farmers training center and identifying fifty (50) farmers beneficiary to be trained on Famers’ Information Management System (FIMS) 2. Activity Progress 2.1 Community Engagement Meeting The organization conducted two (2) meetings to inform the community about the fund disbursement and guide them set priority activity. The first meeting took place at Rakwaro chiefs Camp where the village volunteers agreed that the grain Silo need to constructed urgently in preparation for the harvesting session in a month’s time. The volunteers also agreed to mobilize the entire community store their millet, maize and beans. This they view will reduce chances of farmers selling their grains at a throw away price. The second meeting attended by Community Development Support Committee took place at Mawego Farmers Training Center. CDSC is a farmers committee which advises the organization on livelihood initiatives. They also play a key role in mobilizing fellow farmers towards a common goal. This meeting discussed the sustainability aspect of the project and agreed to register all farmers into The Mango Tree cooperative through which they will contribute towards the management of the grain collection, storage and redistribution or sale. CDSC also resolved to educate 1500 farmers in the location to store their grains at the Farmers Training Center and sell when prices stabilizes. Listing of farmers earmarked for grain storage has already begun. 2.2. Grain Silo Construction To fast-track the construction, the organization identified an architecture, Engineer and a contractor following the organization laydown procurement procedures. Having secured the legal approvals the contractor has begun delivering items at the site with construction expected to begin on Monday 11th June 2018. This will take approximately three week. 2.3 Identification and mobilization of 50 farmers to be trained on FIMS. The Mango Tree through Livelihood officer and farm attendant has begun identifying and mobilizing the first group of 50 farmers to be trained on famers information management system. The system seeks to improve information sharing among farmers, issue alerts on disease outbreaks, weather patterns and trending crop prices. The App will also be instrumental on educating farming on current agribusiness technologies. 2.4 Contracting a FIMS App developer The organization is in the advance stage of identifying an IT farm to develop, train and install FIMS App to farmer’s android phones. The App among other things will matches farmers with local buyers across Kenya. It also offers important information using provided price trends to know the best time to plant your crops. Once the produce is ready FIMS connects the farmer with thousands of ready buyers for the most ideal price. 3. Challenges faced and way forward 3.1 Chalanges Poor Weather as a result of the ongoing rains has derailed the delivery of construction materials due to inaccessibility of the site. Inadequate funds to train more farmers on FIMS due to the high number of farmers expressing interest in the App 3.2 Way Forward The project has resorted to delivering of materials in the afternoon when the road is passable. The project intends to raise more funds through GlobalGiving to trains more farmers in FIMS 4 Next Month’s Activity Delivery of construction material Construction of the silo Listing to farmers for fims training Monthly community consultation meeting Development of relevant monitoring tools
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