News
Sweden gives $12m for food security project
At least two million Kenyans were facing severe food shortages from August last year. Photo/FILE
Posted Monday, March 28 2011 at 00:00
The Swedish government has launched a $12 million programme that provides grants to bioscientists working to improve food production and environmental management in Eastern Africa in what could help the region boost its food security.
The Bioresources Innovation Network for Eastern Africa Development (Bio-Innovate) Programme — the first of its kind in Africa — provides competitive grants to African researchers who are working with the private sector and non-governmental organisations to find ways to improve food security, boost resilience to climate change and identify environmentally sustainable ways of producing food.
The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) backed programme that will be managed by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi will in the first three years support five research-based projects working to improve the productivity of sorghum, millet, cassava, sweet potato and bean farmers; to help smallholder farmers adapt to climate change; to improve the processing of wastes in the production of sisal and coffee; and to better treat waste water generated in leather processing and slaughterhouse operations
Targets
The projects to be followed up in three years targets high yields from the local crops with an intention of enabling them provide continuous supply of food for those who plant them.
Other projects include helping small-scale farmers adapt to climate change and reduce vagaries brought about by such weather changes; to improve the processing of wastes in the production of sisal and coffee; and to treat waste water generated in leather processing and slaughterhouse operations.
“By emphasising innovations to help drive crop production in the six partner countries, Bio-Innovate is working at the heart of one of the region’s greatest challenges—that of providing enough food in the face of climate change, diversifying crops and addressing productivity constraints that are threatening the livelihoods of millions,” said ILRI director general Carlos Sere.
Statistics show that at least two million Kenyans were facing severe food shortages from August last year.
Other East African countries are also battling a biting food crisis. ‘Our main target is to enable researchers come up with relevant innovations that can provide solutions to agricultural deficiencies.” said Seyoum Leta, Bio-Innovate program manager.
.
