Improving dairy and horticulture programmes for more food security and commercialisation

Sector

Agriculture

Project budget

The maximum budget for this project is € 750,000.

Organisations

This project has been developed by Bukura Agricultural College (BAC). The tender for this project expired on 6 September 2011. Nuffic has awarded this tender to Q-Point, which has formed a consortium with HAS Den Bosch, Radboud University Nijmegen - CIDIN, DLV Plant BV and Egerton University. 

Project description

This project aims to improve the labour market responsiveness of BAC's programmes and increase the (self)employment of its graduates. It will address BAC's core functions by:

• strengthening its organisational capacity;
• reviewing and developing education programmes to improve practical and technical skills, entrepreneurship and gender sensitivity;
• strengthening collaborations with other universities, research institutes and the labour market.

Finally, the project will support BAC to better promote itself and attract more students.

Economic backbone

Kenya's agricultural sector remains the backbone of the national economy. It directly contributes 24% to the country's GDP and accounts for 65% of all export earnings. The sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7%. It provides the livelihood of over 80% of Kenya's population and their food security.

Despite its economic importance, Kenyan farming has traditionally been predominantly small scale, rain fed and poorly mechanised.

Smallholders do not make full use of innovative techniques and on-farm value addition and most of them are unfamiliar with marketing techniques and the value chain approach.

Towards effective extension services

The agricultural sector needs an effective extension services sector to achieve growth and address food security concerns. Hence the need for competent graduates who meet labour market demands and can rise to the challenge.