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| July 2010 | Climbing bean project enriches livelihoods in Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DR Congo
Beans are an important food crop in the diets of the populations in Rwanda, Burundi and the DR Congo. The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) is their primary source of proteins (21%), carbohydrates (60%), vitamins and minerals (iron, zinc) (19%), and other nutrients. The consumption of beans in the three countries is estimated to be more than 60 kg per person per year.
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| Beekeeping for restoration of degraded ecosystems and improving livelihoods in East Africa
Beekeeping is important to the people of East Africa. It is a source of food (honey, pollen and brood); raw materials for various industries (e.g. beeswax candles, lubricants); medicine (honey, propolis, beeswax, bee venom) and provides income for beekeepers. However, farmers in the region are unable to access better markets due to the poor quality and low quantity of honey they produce. The poor quality and low quantity of honey is a result of using traditional methods for making beehives (made out of logs, bark, reeds, gourds and pots) and honey harvesting (by smoking).
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| The crop of hope
"Look at those miserable crops," a beaming Bonney Okello remarked pointing at maize fields that were fast turning from green to brown due to prolonged lack of rain. "Nearly all the farmers here planted ordinary maize and they have lost everything," he noted.
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| The promise of high value non-staple crops in Eastern and Central Africa
High value non-staple crops have a huge potential to impact the economies of Eastern and Central Africa, according to a study, Strategic Priorities for Agricultural Development in Eastern and Central Africa, commissioned by ASARECA in 2005.
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| Agrobiodiversity is key to climate change solutions
This month (December) is crucial to all people of the world because political leaders, activists, scientists, researchers and leaders of civil society organistaions from all over the globe will converge at Copenhagen, Denmark for the UN Climate Change Conference. Starting from December 7 to 18 the leaders will be seeking to reach an agreement on how to respond to the challenges posed by climate change.
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| Scientists and Entrepreneurs strategise to produce millions of biotechnology planting materials
Following renewed regional efforts to improve agricultural productivity to enhance economic growth, the quality of the environment and improve livelihoods in East and Central Africa (ECA), scientists and entrepreneurs recently held a workshop to lay strategies to produce millions of planting materials using tissue culture biotechnology.
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| Training on Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) Testing
The ASARECA Eastern Africa Seed Committee (EASCOM) recently convened training of certifiers in the region on testing for seed variety distinctness, uniformity and Stability (DUS). Variations in procedure for seed policy implementing regulations, which include the procedure for DUS testing across ASARECA member countries, have hampered seed trade. A seed variety may be certified in Uganda and rejected in Tanzania because of variations in the testing procedures. Harmonizing the DUS test procedure will enable the realization of a seamless border for seed trade in the region.
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| The Kenya Agricultural Information Network (KAINet) - opening up research outputs from Kenya
The Kenya Agricultural Information Network (KAINet) was launched on 14th May 2008 in Nairobi by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. William Ruto.
KAINet is a national initiative that was initiated in April 2006 in response to demand from the national and international community to promote information exchange and access among stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
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| The Impact of Non-Tariff Barriers on Cross-Border Trade in Eastern Africa
Introduction:
Multilateral trade agreements have brought down tariff barriers to trade following negotiations under GATT and subsequent rounds. However, non-tariff barriers (NTBs) have gained prominence as alternative trade policy instruments for domestic industry protection or for regulating trade. NTBs are barriers to trade that are not tariffs and include both trade-restricting measures (quotas, technical barriers, etc) and trade-promoting measures (export subsidies etc). In their application, NTBs are increasingly raising market access concerns at both global and regional levels.
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| Best-bet Research Outputs
The Technology Uptake and Up-scaling Support Initiative of ASARECA has produced a booklet that contains 40 abstracts of best-bet research outputs generated by former ASARECA research networks (NPPS) and their NARS partners in the East and Central African region. They represent a collection of well tried and tested technologies and approaches that have potential for up scaling to improve livelihoods. The abstracts, which have been grouped into 9 thematic clusters, give brief accounts of the key outputs generated and lessons learnt.
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| Rescue Cassava from being destroyed by a "new disease"
Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), a devastating disease of cassava is spreading very fast and causing destruction to the cassava crop in East and Central Africa (ECA). The disease is currently the most important constraint affecting cassava production in eastern Africa. It results in total loss of cassava harvest through loss of root production and quality, and could result in serious disruption of the livelihoods of 200 million people in the ECA region who depend on the crop.
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| Responding to the Food Price Crisis in Eastern and Southern Africa
This paper addresses the magnitude and implications of food price changes in national and regional markets in Eastern and Southern Africa with a view to provide the evidence base for effective policy action. Specifically, the paper:
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| Environmental Management Framework
This is the final version of the Environmental Management Framework for the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA). It has to be observed by all ASARECA programmes and/or activities implemented by the Association and/or its partners.
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