University Outreach Support to Farmer Associations in Western Kenya: The Case of The RUFORUM’s Community Action Research Project (CARP) at Moi University

Moi University’s School of Agriculture obtained a research grant from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) under the Community Action Research Program (CARP) to carry out a research leading to the strengthening of the linkages between the universities and farmer associations. This is part of an endeavor to promote agricultural production in western Kenya. The Project linked with three Farmer Associations (FAs) in western Kenya in developing research programs and for disseminations of research findings. Field demonstrations were setup to refine and adapt new high yielding production technologies. The Project has enabled FAs develop their business plans, initiate contract farming to produce striga tolerant seed maize, increased sorghum production, improved management of FAs and built the capacity of FAs to undertake value addition. Three machines have been purchased for each for the three FAs to undertake value addition leading to marketing of finished pure or fortified soyabean and groundnut products. The project activities has brought FAs to a stage towards self sustainability and income generation.