January 28, 2010
Kenyan Farmers’ Group to Receive Drip Irrigation Greenhouse Gift
ACDI/VOCA is pleased to announce that the Kenyan farmers’ group, Kipchamo Poverty Eradication Program (KIPEP), will receive the drip irrigation-greenhouse package from the Greenest of Gifts campaign.
Our Kenya staff selected KIPEP—an umbrella group of 13 farmers’ groups—to receive the equipment and training so generously donated by our supporters. KIPEP has a total of 700 members in the Rift Valley, and 11 of its 17 leaders are women.
“KIPEP’s progressive attitude and can-do spirit made it an obvious choice for the gift,” says Diana Roach, director of volunteer programs. “The group’s majority of women leaders also well reflects the prominent role women have in Kenyan agriculture.”
KIPEP plans to invest some of its own capital in the project to further expand benefits from the new technology and training. Proceeds from vegetables grown in the greenhouse will be shared by the 13 member groups.
As a next step, ACDI/VOCA will purchase and deliver the drip irrigation, water tank and greenhouse and will deploy an expert volunteer to train farmers in how to use the equipment and market what they produce.
We will continue to keep readers updated on the progress of the project. Visit our website or join us on ACDI/VOCA’s Twitter and Facebook pages to keep up-to-date on how the project unfolds.
At top left is an example of the Amiran Farmers' Kit greenhouse system that KIPEP will receive displayed at ACDI/VOCA’s 2009 Ag Fair in Eldoret, Kenya.
About the Greenest of Gifts Campaign
ACDI/VOCA launched the Greenest of Gifts campaign in November 2009 to help combat environmental and food shortage problems facing Kenyans as the country experienced its worst drought in the last half century. The environmentally sustainable drip irrigation and greenhouse system allows farmers to grow more—and more nutritious—food and earn more money. The Greenest of Gifts funds also will be used to send an expert volunteer to conduct training so that farmers will learn how to make the most of the new equipment and effectively market their high-value vegetables.
Volunteers are important to ACDI/VOCA’s approach to international development, generously donating their time and expertise to make development dollars go further. To learn more, click here.
