The main goal for this project is to develop and create a course on greenhouse farming for farmers in the Bondo region. We will be working on this project in collaboration with students and members of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. To achieve this goal there are several activities and side projects to be done.
1. RESEARCH ON LOCAL FARMERS
Continue the research that the previous group (David & Umit) started on greenhouse farming and the farmers in the region. We will take the results of the previous research, recap, and go deeper in on the capacity and attitude of these famers. This will give useful information for the content and design of the Greenhouse.
2. BUILD A NEW GREENHOUSE.
This year, Students 4 Sustainablity (S4S) has indicated to finance the material costs for the new greenhouse and hereby keep the ownership over the greenhouse. Based on an estimate made by Laurens, Arwen and Marc, who did the Pamoja Greenhouse Initiative project in Nairobi (2014-2015), S4S will cover material costs up to €3100,00. The Pamoja Greenhouse Initiative project will be the foundation for our project this year. The purpose for this new greenhouse is to rent it to farmers and farmer groups that want to take part in the course, and can’t afford to buy their own greenhouse. The rent includes all the training needed to become a successful With this concept, renters are not only being able to get an income, but also stimulated by a feeling of responsibility and independency.
Specifically for Bondo, we will research the feasibility of this idea and how it needs to be managed, both organizationally and financially. The greenhouse that was built last year will serve as an education center for the course and the students.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is needed to develop a course that gives local farmers the enthusiasm to participate and use that experience and knowledge to become confident and self-supporting entrepreneurs?
2. How can we introduce the concept of renting greenhouses? Is this idea, the Pamoja Greenhouse Initiative, relevant and achievable for Bondo?
1. On what level are the farmers in the occasion to pay for and participate in the course provided? How can the course be developed in such a way that it is accessible for them?
2. How does an intercultural collaboration have influence on setting up a successful business? Why and where does it succeed? Why and where are there difficulties due to our differences?
Below we have listed out learning goals of the minor to the project.
1. The experience of working in a different culture setting.
2. Developing knowledge about entrepreneurship – in general and in developing countries.
3. Gaining experience on development aid, what kind of different forms of development aid are available and their pros and cons.
ACTIVITIES/CONTENT
Below we have listed the activities we want to do during our time in Bondo. We have specified the content of each activity and made an estimation of the time involved in completing them. Keep in mind that during the process changes and adjustments may occur to the content.
1. Interview farmers and experts in the surrounding area. Visit the different kinds of farms to see how farmers work and get to know them. Through the interviews we want to find out more their capacity and attitude. The outcome of the interviews and the expertise of professionals in the field is important information we need for the design and content of the course. Duration: The first 3-4 weeks.
2. Developing the content for the course on greenhouse farming. Dr. Darius Andika and Mr. Jackson Achuti are both working in the field of agriculture and will accompany us in the construction process of the greenhouse but also during the cultivation of the vegetables. There will also be a group of students from JOOUST joining us in this phase.
The questions to be answered during this time of our internship in Bondo are:
- How to build a greenhouse?
- How can a water supply be built and what is best as a second source?
- What types of seeds & fertilizers are needed?
- In what form is it best to teach farmers about finances, bookkeeping, sales of the produces etc.
Duration: step by step for the first 1,5 months, before Christmas break
3. Developing the structure of the course. The course needs to be structured in a way that matches the needs and capacity of the farmers. We need to take in consideration, for example, the fact that some of the participants might not be literate or speak the language. Duration: step by step for the first 1,5 months, before Christmas break
4. Build a new greenhouse and recover the greenhouse that was built last year. The new greenhouse should be removable and we need to think about adding water supply to the Duration: 5 days – 1,5 weeks. The kit needs to be ordered and delivered, and we could possibly encounter
5. Conduct a pilot of the course. With our research findings and first concept of the course we want to test the results. The goal for this activity is to give us a clear insight into the quality and relevance of the course. What works, what doesn’t work? What are the reactions of the participants and others involved? With the results of the pilot, we can improve the course and work towards our endeavors; delivering useable course material, meeting the requirements, and adequate for use after our return to the Netherlands.
TIMELINE & MILESTONES
We will start with the research that needs to be done for the course. This means making a questionnaire for the farmers together with the student group of JOOUST. The time we spend doing this will also give us some time to get used to the local lifestyle and climate in Bondo. After this week or so we expect to be ready to start the interviews with the farmers. We will also construct the new greenhouse before Christmas break. Most of the Kenian people will be with their families in December, for Christmas. This will give us some time to prepare the course on greenhouse farming. We hope to start the pilot in January, and use the last weeks to make adjustments.
Deliverables
1. A report, including:
- Interview results
2. A test draft of a course on greenhouse farming for farmers in the Bondo region.
3. A scientifical paper about greenhouse farming in the Bondo region.
4. A short video about the project.
In this video we want to show our activities and tell the stpry behind the project. This material can also be used by S4S to show their donators what happens with the donated money.