Blogs

African Youth Empowerment in Surveillance: PlantVillage Ethiopia Training Towards Sustainable Crop Monitoring

African Youth Empowerment in Surveillance: PlantVillage Ethiopia Training Towards Sustainable Crop Monitoring

Written by Emmy Neema

To empower farmers through AI-powered pest and disease identification, PlantVillage Ethiopia team recently received training on PlantVillage AI. In addition to the AI tool, the team learned about the PlantVillage observatory platform. The platform allows them to monitor and manage data on crop threats effectively.

 

The training aimed to build the team's capacity to monitor biotic and abiotic threats to crops and improve their problem-solving skills by sharing experiences across countries. 

 

The three-day training was conducted by experts from Kenya and Malawi. Stella Amakove, PlantVillage E-Extension Lead, and Chrissy Awali, PlantVillage Field Officer-Malawi, led the training, which included practical and theoretical sessions along with insightful field visits to banana farms. The purpose of the visits was to strengthen early detection and rapid responses to emerging threats such as the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), safeguarding livelihoods.

 

Read more
PlantVillage Empowers Women: Celebrating International Women's Day 2024

PlantVillage Empowers Women: Celebrating International Women's Day 2024

Written by Dennis Avokoywa.

As the global community unites to commemorate International Women's Day 2024 under the theme "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," PlantVillage stands at the forefront, showcasing its commitment to empowering women through diverse projects.

 

One notable initiative is the agroforestry project, which has not only educated pastoralists in Northern Kenya on tree planting as a mitigation effort against climate change but has also provided employment opportunities, enabling them to earn extra income for sustainability.

 

Under the expansive Warrior View Project, generously funded by Google and in partnership with the County Government of Samburu through KFS, PlantVillage established a tree nursery in Maralal. This strategic move aims to bolster tree cover and crops, effectively countering the region's adverse impacts of climate change.

Read more
Training in Malawi: Harnessing PlantVillage App and PlantVillage Observatory in Pest Management

Training in Malawi: Harnessing PlantVillage App and PlantVillage Observatory in Pest Management

Written by Emmy Neema

In an innovative approach to address agricultural challenges of pest management and crop health, PlantVillage Malawi spearheaded a stakeholder training initiative, focusing on effective use of the PlantVillage app and PlantVillage Observatory system. 

 

The program involved key figures from various agricultural organizations including International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ministry of Agriculture - Malawi Luarnar, Department of Agriculture Research Services (DARS) and Department of Crops and Development (DCD). This collaborative effort underscores the platform's growing adoption by government and partners, signaling a collective commitment to revolutionize agricultural practices in Malawi.

Read more
Trash to Treasure: Sustainable Fodder Farming Initiative in Kenya's Arid Lands

Trash to Treasure: Sustainable Fodder Farming Initiative in Kenya's Arid Lands

Written by Dennis Avokoywa.

PlantVillage field officers in Kenya's Arid and Semi-arid lands (ASALs) have commenced harvesting Cenchrus ciliaris grass seeds planted last year on soil bunds.

 

Selected for its resilience to harsh climatic conditions, this grass species is set to significantly impact the region's regreening initiatives.

 

The harvested seeds will be recycled, with pastoralists receiving guidance from field officers and local morans on creating soil bunds and planting the seeds.

Read more
PlantVillage and KEPHIS Join Forces to Boost Cassava Production in Kilifi County

PlantVillage and KEPHIS Join Forces to Boost Cassava Production in Kilifi County

Written by Emmy Neema

In a groundbreaking initiative, PlantVillage collaborated with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) to train a team of agronomists in Kilifi County on Semi Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) cassava propagation technology.

 

The training, conducted by Mr. Stephen Khisa, a KEPHIS Technologist, was held at Elinah Sultani’s farm in Matsangoni, Kilifi North sub-county.

 

The sensitization was aimed at equipping PlantVillage Kilifi team agronomists with knowledge and skills related to the innovative SAH cassava propagation technology, ensuring rapid multiplication of clean cassava seed, increasing production of clean planting materials and management of cassava seed system.

Read more
Employing Gender-Responsive Research in Plant Health: Breaking Barriers at the Gender and Plant Health Workshop

Employing Gender-Responsive Research in Plant Health: Breaking Barriers at the Gender and Plant Health Workshop

Written by Mercyline Tata

Global scientists converged in Nairobi for a two-day workshop on gender and plant health hosted by International Potato Center (CIP). Starting on November 22, 2023, it gathered 34 participants from 6 research teams across 16 countries. This gathering aimed to share insights from interdisciplinary case studies and seek to identify alternative approaches to address gender-related challenges in plant health. 

Read more
Farmer Nurturing Prosperity from Arid Soil with High-Value Crops

Farmer Nurturing Prosperity from Arid Soil with High-Value Crops

Written by Emmy Neema

In Milore, Ganze sub-county, a remarkable PlantVillage lead farmer is making waves with her unique approach to good agricultural practices. Cecilia Mupa, a dedicated and innovative farmer, has defied the odds by successfully practicing high-value crop farming in a region plagued by inadequate water supply. Her story is not only one of resilience but also a testament to the power of adaptation and community-driven success.

 

Cecilia's journey into high-value crop farming began with a significant setback of losing yields worth 25 bags of maize. Initially, she was a maize farmer, just like many others in her community. However, her agricultural aspirations were put to test when her one acre maize farm suffered substantial damage from stray elephants. Determined not to let adversity define her farming career, she made a strategic decision to switch to growing horticultural crops that are less appealing to elephant attacks because they are not conspicuous.

Read more
Trees of Yesterday: Hope for Tomorrow as Kenyans Celebrate National Tree Planting Day

Trees of Yesterday: Hope for Tomorrow as Kenyans Celebrate National Tree Planting Day

Published by Mercyline Tata

In the heart of Busia, Kenya, amidst the backdrop of National Tree Planting Day on November 13, 2023, I embarked on a journey to Tangakona, guided by the promise of learning from a remarkable individual. Armed with only a small clutch bag, a microphone, and a smartphone, I arrived at Monica Juma's lush homestead, eager to uncover the secrets of her success.

 

Monica's farm is a picturesque haven, where a thatched house nestled at the far end is embraced by a thriving boundary of trees. My mind drifts back to a day when the scorching sun in Busia had threatened to turn me into a block of charcoal. It was then that I sought refuge under a Grevillea tree on this very farm, and I knew that I would return.

Read more
Pastoralists in Samburu, Kenya, Receive Tree Seedlings to Boost Mitigation Efforts

Pastoralists in Samburu, Kenya, Receive Tree Seedlings to Boost Mitigation Efforts

Written by Dennis Avokoywa.

PlantVillage officers in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) region of Kenya have distributed tree seedlings to 165 members of the pastoralist community in Samburu County.

 

The seedlings were sourced from the PlantVillage tree nursery located in Maralal, which was set up as a significant effort to help the communities in the ASALs deal with the effects of climate change.

Read more
Heart Heart icon