Fodder Production, Conservation and Utilization Training, Kenya 154 views0 applications

USAID-Funded 

Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program 

Scope of Work 

Fodder Production, Conservation and Utilization Training 

Description of the Program:

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) serves as the lead implementer for the Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program (F2F A2F) to address deficits in the financial ecosystem hindering investment and growth in agriculture for individual farmers, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises through the delivery of volunteer technical assistance. IESC has designed a thematic F2F program to generate sustainable, broad-based economic growth and create jobs in the agricultural sector with a special focus on assistance to women and youth. Focusing on Kenya, Tanzania, and Liberia, the F2F A2F Program will work with local partner organizations and volunteer hosts to field pro bono experts from the U.S. agriculture, corporate, and banking sectors to address systemic capacity constraints for farmers and lenders in each targeted country and unlock finance for improved agricultural production leading to utilization of agricultural technologies and increased sales and incomes.

Problem Statement:

Dairy feeding constitutes between 60% and 80% of overall production costs for smallholder farms in Kenya, so efficient feeding can significantly increase farmers’ profit margins. Fodder and forage are the most valuable and cheapest sources of food for livestock, and they are a rich source of nutrition. With quality nutritional fodder, milk production can be increased significantly.

A significant proportion of dairy cow’s nutritional needs are met when using appropriate quality and quantity fodder and forages, rather than the more expensive compound feeds. A dairy cow can produce up to 20 litres of milk a day on a balanced forage feed with no compound feeds (SNV, 2013). Studies show that Kenyan smallholder farmers’ exposure and awareness of different fodder crops is high, but only 55% grow at least one fodder type on their farms (SNV, 2013). Additionally, frequent droughts and  poor land use practices have significantly contributed to degradation and loss of natural pastures(Omollo, 2017).

Most smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya have significant knowledge gaps in fodder production, conservation and utilization. F2F A2F is therefore seeking a volunteer expert to support a dairy cooperative in Kenya by training its members on fodder production, conservation and utilization. This assignment will contribute to the development of more profitable dairy enterprises that are more attractive to various sources of capital.

Objectives of the Assignment: 

1. Conduct a rapid needs assessment of the dairy farmers’ practices and identify gaps.
2. Customize a fodder production, conservation and utilization training, informed by the rapid assessment findings.
3. Train ToTs and farmers on fodder production, conservation and utilization.

Deliverables:

1. Rapid needs assessment report
2. Training materials customized
3. List of people trained
4. A PowerPoint presentation highlighting the achievements and recommendations from the assignment
5. Trip report