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Kenya Institute of Organic Farming

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Kenya Institute of Organic Farming

May 1, 2021 @ 8:00 am - May 23, 2021 @ 5:00 pm

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Project overview

The Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF) is an officially registered technical training institution NO. MOHEST/PC/1361 and Non-government organization (NGO).

It is situated in Juja off – Thika highway, near Ndarugo Motel.

KIOF launched its first activities in 1987 – The Farmers Training and Extension Programe, which aimed at bringing the awareness of the challenges associated with conventional chemical farming (fertilizers and pesticides)

The advantages of environmentally – sound-farming methods, appropriate to small-scale farmers led to widespread public interest in the programme. Numerous requests were received from development organizations in Eastern Africa for training in organic farming.

After the initial strong growth, KIOF found that there was necessity to verifying some of the organic methods adopted by farmers.

KIOF therefore started looking into opportunities for on-farm trials and research so as to supply relevant back up data.

A Programe to incorporate youth training in organic agriculture was launched in 1995. This led to an Organic Agriculture Certificate course with the aim of assisting the youth to develop careers in Organic farming. A diploma programe was launched in 2004 and the Certificate Stream gradually phased out.

The Diploma Programe takes 2 years of theoretical and practical learning. Due to the growing interest in this field and high demand for profession knowledge in organic agriculture, KIOF launched a 2-year Distance Learning Diploma program in 2006.

A RENEWED APPROACH TO AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

  • Organic farms and gardens have been operating years in many countries and climates. By reviving and developing sound husbandry practices they have shown that it is possible to combine good yields with high quality produce, lasting soil fertility and improved overall environment.
  • The Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF) aims at making this experience available to all farmers and other stakeholders.
  • KIOF connects itself especially with the small – scale farmers who make up the majority of the farming community in Kenya. It is the small – scale farmers who are, in effect, the care takers of the natural environment. KIOF wants to stimulate better management of the environment by starting with sound agricultural principles on the farm.
  • KIOF organizes training sessions for groups of farmers: women groups, youth and other CBOs in the rural areas. KIOF comes into contact with these groups through various organizations, churches, government institutions and individuals.

AGE: Volunteers have to be at least 18 years old to participate in the work camp. There is no upper age limit`

PROJECT ACTIVITIES WHY ORGANIC AGRICULTURE?

  • A problem in today’s agriculture is the need for cash. This need moves the nation as a whole and especially the farmer into cash crop farming. Most of which are non – food crops.
  • The family food production is often neglected.
  • This leads to poorer diets and poorer health of the farming community. The remedy for this situation is organic farming.

A JOINT STUDENT EXCHANGE

KIOF, is a   long term training institution partnering with Rural Community in Development (RUCID) which is Uganda specialized in formal training in organic agriculture, community mobilization, processing and marketing of organic products (both local and export markets.

Scope

The nature of KOIF/RUCID collaboration include:

  1. Joint programs for school leavers and rural youth in training organic agriculture at certificate and Diploma levels.
  2. Awarding Certificates and Diplomas

III. Exchange of students to Kenya and Mityana, Uganda.

  1. Exposure to Biomedicine Medicinal herbs, product value addition and organic export marketing.

Practical Learning

Students who participate in this program experience “hands on” learning situations in:

  1. Organic production methods in crops and animal husbandry.
  2. Organic products processing, value addition, and certification.

III. Organic packaging and marketing both locally and internationally.

Exposure

¨ Students get a rare opportunity of doing their studies in both Uganda and Kenya

¨ Students Learn to travel across the Kenyan border s and gain cultured experience of other communities

Some of KIOF achievements.

  • Creating awareness and providing practical training in organic farming methods to farmers, equally men and women, the rural youth, extension officers, trainers and project managers.
  • Conducting on farm trials and data gathering in organic farming in medium and high potential areas in Kenya.
  • Gathering and disseminating information on organic farming throughout Eastern African region.
  • Stimulating the formation of organizations and networks on organic farming in Eastern Africa.
  • Facilitating marketing of organic produce.
  • Facilitating the understanding of organic standards.

TYPE OF WORK CAMP: AGRI

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday. They will work together with the local community members on the following activities:

Manual work and Intercultural activities:

  • Volunteers will be assigned tasks to work on the farm and this will include office and field work

PROJECT PARTICIPANTS: Maximum 20 volunteers from Kenya and the international community

What to carry?

This is outlined in the detailed info sheet and includes, sleeping bag and mat, toiletries, torch/flashlight, sandals, mosquito net, national flag from your country, among others

 

 

Details

Start:
May 1, 2021 @ 8:00 am
End:
May 23, 2021 @ 5:00 pm
Event Category:
Event Tags:
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Website:
www.kvdakenya.org

Organizer

Kenya Voluntary Development Organization
Email:
info@kvdakenya.org
View Organizer Website

Venue

Kiambu County, Central Kenya
Kiambu, Kenya + Google Map
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