January - June 2008 - Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

More documents

Recommendations

Info

KARI Participates in the 1st National Conference and Exhibition for Dissemination of Research Results and Review of Innovations By JK Sitawa Ogutu, KARI Headquarters Dr Mukisira presents the keynote address The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology convened its first ever national conference and exhibition for dissemination of research results and review of innovations. The conference was held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) from Monday 28th April to Wednesday 30th April 2008. The inaugural event attracted over 50 plenary presentations on diverse topics on aspects of research from research institutes, institutions of higher learning and non-governmental organisations. Seventeen exhibitors drawn from the IARCS, professional organisations, service providers, community-based organisations non governmental organisations and the consumers society were represented. The Director KARI, Dr. Ephraim Mukisira graced the occasion and delivered a keynote address entitled “Demanding innovations by farmers: KARI’s experience” . The Director’s paper focused on the subject of demand-driven development of technologies for the Kenyan farmer and was the crowing glory for participants who had just been engaged by KARI staff at the institute’s exhibition stand. Here, the focus was on innovations created by KARI’s own scientists. The rodent holding device invented by Mr. Kariuki Ndungu of KARI TRC was the star attraction of the day for many visitors who were impressed by the ingenuity. The Director KARI (fourth right) poses for a photograph with staff manning the KARI stand. Left to right; Kariuki Ndungu (KARI TRC), Arina Odek (KARI VVPC), Christopher Obote (HQT), T Mungalla (HQT), James Kinyua (KARI Lanet), JK Sitawa Ogutu (HQT), JN Gatei (KARI Muguga South), Samuel ole Sinkeet (HQT), Phillip Kibet (HQT), Catherine Olang’o (HQT). Squatting left, Solomon Mwendia (KARI Muguga South) and right, Douglas Indetie (KARI Lanet) Highlighter No. 23 22
SUCAPRI E-Platform Workshop By JM Ndubi, KARI Headquarters The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) in conjunction with Strengthening of University Capacity for Promoting, Facilitating and Teaching Rural Innovation processes (SUCAPRI) organised a three-day workshop at the University of Nairobi, College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (CAVS), 13-15 February 2008 to deliberate on the selection of an e- platform for the SUCAPRI project. The objectives of this workshop were to collectively agree upon the main purposes and functions of an e- platform and to jointly select an appropriate e- communication platform after evaluating existing platforms and agree on the modalities of operation of the e-platform. Five of the eight SUCAPRI members and associates namely: University of Nairobi (UoN), Makerere University (MAK), Kenyatta University (KU), Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) were represented in this workshop. Discussions on the concept of Open Educational Resources (OER’s) were facilitated by the COL’s consultant. OERs were defined (including the critical role they play in Africa). It was noted that though the concept of sharing was acceptable, issues of inadequate manpower and infrastructure could hinder the sharing of these resources. However, this should not be seen as a stumbling block as the issues of access are being addressed through various national, regional and international interventions. The discussions were followed by the identification of the SUCAPRI needs, which constitute both communication and e-platform requirements. The communication platform would facilitate the transfer and sharing of information and knowledge related to SUCAPRI members and stakeholders. This communication platform will have the following: • Support for emails and exchange of files (audio, video, text, graphics and documents) • Incorporate Voice Over IP (VoIP) support including short message service (sms) and internet telephony • Support discussion forum, chats and internal emails • Support group collaboration and project planning • Help in the development and implementation of a communication strategy The e-platform that will be used to implement the Learning Management System and Content Development platform should support: • Collaborative Content Development • Reach a larger number of stakeholders while being able to support rigorous quality assurance before hosting for learners use • Learners’ activities and address pedagogical issues Key features of the various learning management systems (Moodle and Atutor) were discussed highlighting their main features in course and learning management, learners’ activities and facilitation. The focus was placed on two content management systems (Joomla and Drupal) to complement the existing mailing list as a communication platform and also cater for the website. All the platforms were subjected to a common criterion of evaluation and ranked. Joomla was selected as the communication platform while WikiEducator and Moodle were selected as the e- platforms to be used by the project. KARI Seed Unit Certified Seeds from KARI Seed Unit for maize, cowpeas, green grams among others. Seeds are available in each of the KARI Centres and Companies listed below: Crop Variet y Centre/Area/Compan y Soya bean wheat Variou s KARI-Njoro Maize, beans, cowpeas, green grams, pigeon pea and Dolichos Katumani and DLC Maize KARI-Katumani Cassava/Sweet potatoes Variou s Katumani, Mtwapa, Kakamega and Embu Fruit tree seedlings Variou s Katumani, Embu, and Matuga Thika, Perkerra Hybrid Maize Hybrid Maize KH600-11D and KH600-14E KH600-15A Freshco Seed Company East African Seed Company Certified Seed Varieties Hybrid Maize EMCO KARI-Emb u Hybrid Maize KSTP94 KARI-Kakameg a Highlighter No. 23 23
Page 1 and 2: Highlighter Publication of the Keny
Page 3 and 4: New Agriculture Minister Visits KAR
Page 5 and 6: Case Study When Mr. Pius Makau reti
Page 7 and 8: Media Open Day for Smallholder Flow
Page 9 and 10: Land Use Policies and Sustainable D
Page 11 and 12: (LTT) at KARI-Kabete has also conti
Page 13 and 14: National Genebank of Kenya Hosts Na
Page 15 and 16: Highlighter Pictorial Photographs b
Page 17 and 18: Tips On Water Conservation - Every
Page 19 and 20: Within the Community • Participat
Page 21: Rwanda Ambassador to Kenya Visits K
Page 25 and 26: KARI Initiates Performance Based Ev
Page 27 and 28: Keny enya Agricultur ricultural Res

January - June 2008 - Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?