Blogs

Livestock rearing is the backbone of many communities in Northern Kenya. However, outbreaks of notifiable diseases have significantly impacted their livestock health, causing substantial economic losses. Diagnosing and containing these outbreaks has traditionally been challenging due to the vastness of the counties and limited veterinary resources.

 

A recent partnership between PlantVillage and the County Government of Turkana has brought hope to these communities. The initiative saw a set of 30 Community Disease Reporters (CDRs) being taken through a refresher training on using PlantVillage AI technology to detect livestock diseases, a move that has helped curb the outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in the County.

Aujourd'hui, nous partageons avec vous une expérience sur l'utilisation du biochar dans un champ et comment cette technique, recommandée par PlantVillage, peut transformer la production agricole.

 

The PlantVillage+ integrated pest management (IPM) lab has experienced a notable rise in customers, highlighting its expanding influence and success in assisting agricultural communities.

In the arid landscapes of Narok County, life has always been challenging for pastoralist communities, especially for children and women like Jackline Normeshuki, commonly known to locals as Mama Mboga.

 

Normeshuki earned a living for decades by making and selling beads, a craft deeply rooted in her Maasai culture. However, despite her efforts, she earned less than $4 a week, making it impossible to sustain her family.

 

Desperate for a more reliable income, Normeshuki sold tea at the local market. This activity was a challenging transition. She had to wake up as early as 2 a.m. to prepare the tea and then walk through the dark, risking encounters with wild animals and other dangers, to reach the market on time.

 

"Nkorinkori market, located about 4 kilometers from my home, is the closest. I had to walk there every Friday morning to sell tea to the business people, who arrived at 5 a.m. to sell and buy livestock. Any delay meant I wouldn't make enough money since several other women were also selling tea," she recalled.

 

Furthermore, this new business took up much of her time. She had to spend less time at home and with her children. This caused her kids to miss school on Fridays because no one could look after them. The financial pressure was tremendous, and the personal risk was high. Worst of all, her children's education was taking a hit.

PlantVillage Kenya made a significant impact at the recently concluded Moi University Eldoret Kenya anniversary celebrations. The event, themed "An Inspiring Legacy: Embracing Technology and Innovation for Sustainability," attracted a diverse audience of government officials, farmers, and students. At the heart of the celebrations, our team of dedicated scientists proudly showcased our groundbreaking parasitoid innovation for the biological control of Fall Armyworm (FAW) in maize crops.

Prosopis juliflora, also known in Kenya as Mathenge, is wreaking havoc across tropical regions, particularly in Kenya, where it has spread from the Great Rift Valley to the coast. This non-native plant is blocking access to vital resources and depleting already scarce groundwater. Introduced to Eastern Africa in the 1970s with the intention of providing wood, fodder, and controlling erosion, it has since become a menace. Its relentless spread is now leading to the loss of grazing land, water shortages, reduced biodiversity, and health problems.

 

PlantVillage has teamed up with local farmers in areas severely affected by mathenge for a land restoration project. The key innovation is employing the community to clear the invasive plant using backhoes to remove stumps, power saws for cutting, and manual chopping by the community. The plant is then turned into biochar, a carbon-rich material that improves soil health. This project not only addresses the damage caused by the plant but also supports farmers by providing new ways to make a living while restoring their land.

By leveraging technology and collaborative partnerships, PlantVillage is not only improving agricultural productivity but also building resilience in communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Narok County, predominantly inhabited by the Maasai community, is located on the leeward side of Mount Kenya, exposing the area to arid and semi-arid conditions. 

 

The area's harsh climatic conditions affect the availability of rainfall, which is crucial for practicing agriculture, a scenario that has forced the community to rely heavily on livestock for their dietary needs, resulting in nutritional deficiencies, especially among vulnerable groups like children and women.

 

Lack of a balanced diet resulting from exclusive consumption of animal products has led to malnutrition-related diseases such as kwashiorkor and marasmus. 

Following the harvesting of Cenchrus ciliaris grass seeds from 2,500 soil bunds established in 2023 by PlantVillage field officers in collaboration with the pastoral community in Northern Kenya, the organization has begun phase II of soil bund digging. 

 

This time, the aim is to dig over 3,000 soil bunds by the end of April.

 

The soil bunds initiative in Isiolo, Samburu, Marsabit, and Baringo counties is part of the Warrior View Project funded by Google and aimed at restoring the rangelands, combating soil erosion, and promoting grass growth for livestock fodder.

On this year's International Forests Day, it's crucial to acknowledge PlantVillage's dedicated efforts in advancing food security, employment opportunities, and contributing significantly to combating the climate crisis.

PlantVillage has positioned itself as a leading force in transformative initiatives aimed at bolstering global efforts to safeguard and expand forest coverage, an endeavor that not only safeguards food sustainability but also provides sources of income for disadvantaged families. 

Utilizing cutting-edge AI tools like the PlantVillage app, the organization has spearheaded vital projects which include the production of biochar, cultivation of high-value fruit tree seedlings, and comprehensive farmer training programs. 

These efforts are pivotal in ensuring the sustainability of tree cultivation, particularly on farmlands.