KOLPING Society of Nigeria debuted a radio program to sensitize cassava farmers in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, about applying improved agronomic practices by following recommendations given by the AKILIMO decision support tools. The radio program will be aired weekly by FLO-FM (94.9) radio station as a 30-minute interactive session.
ACAI Rolls out Pretest for the Farmers’ Field Guide in Nigeria and Tanzania
The African Cassava Agronomy Initiative project has placed a high priority on creating materials that will help both partners and end users to easily understand, use and apply recommendations from the AKILIMO agronomy advice tools. Among the materials developed is
AKILIMO Incorporated in Cassava Farmer Financing Program by Top Agricultural Banks in Tanzania
AKILIMO agronomy advice tools for cassava farming will be an integral part of the new program by the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank and National Microfinance Bank to finance cassava farmers in Tanzania. The banks have collaboratively issued a loan product
Scientists from IITA, Wageningen and University of Florida are Optimizing Crop Models for Improved Predictions
The African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) project scientists are working on optimizing crop models to improve the prediction of the AKILIMO decision support tools. The team is evaluating the performance of the Light Interception and Utilization (LINTUL) and Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) to predict the attainable yield of cassava under well managed agronomic field trial.
State Governments in Nigeria Offer Land to ACAI for Demonstration and Training
Four state governments in the south of Nigeria have allowed the African Cassava Agronomy Project (ACAI) project and its partner Sasakawa Africa Association (SG2000) to set up cassava demonstration and training plots for the AKILIMO decision support tools at all their zonal skill development locations.
ARIFU FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS EDUCATION TRAINING IN TANZANIA
The African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) in a joint effort with ARIFU
has ensured the continuation of training farmers in Tanzania during the
coronavirus pandemic. Despite the semi lockdown and other measures out in place by health agencies to infections and spreading of the corona virus. ACAI and ARIFU have been carrying out virtual trainings with extension agents and farmers through teleconference phone calls.
ACAI Partners Establishes 492 Training Plots for Scaling AKILIMO
Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) one of the ACAI primary partners has established and planted 492 validation trial sites for AKILIMO and additional 46 demonstration sites across the ecological zones where ACAI is operating in Tanzania.
JPDM and UAM Gradually Resume Training of Farmers while Adhering to COVID-19 Safety Measures
Extension agents working under the Justice Development and Peace Movement (JDPM), Oyo and the University of Agriculture Makurdi have concluded plans to resume training activities previously halted by the COVID-19 lockdown across the country under a cautious regime. The training activities will adhere strictly to the rules on physical distancing set by the country on COVID 19, coordinators from JPDM and UAM have said.
ACAI in New Partnership with Kolping Society of Nigeria
Kolping Society of Nigeria is the new addition to the ACAI project list of partners that will be instrumental in scaling the use of the AKILIMO decision support tools. Kolping Society of Nigeria is a faith-based organization that promotes social action for human development. The organization will integrate AKILIMO tools content as part of their training materials for farmers growing cassava within their membership location.
ACAI Partners and Local Government Officials continue Training on AKILIMO in Tanzania
A collaboration between ACAI partners and the local government authorities in Tanzania has ensured a continuation of stakeholder trainings and farmer sensitization during the coronavirus pandemic. Kilimo Joint a capacity building and agricultural consulting enterprise and eSOKO an agricultural digital solutions company and an ACAI primary partner have teamed with government officials of Mkuranga District in the Eastern Zone of Tanzania to conduct training for selected new project partners and farmers on the use of fertilizer in growing cassava as recommended by the AKILIMO decision support tools.