Principal Investigator's Desk

This quarter adds credit to the previous one we have had. We have made great strides yet each step can only be described with a success story. We continue to produce solutions but at the same time we also keep on learning. Programmes of this magnitude are never without challenges, but that has not stopped. We have been brave enough to seek solutions and where we got stuck we sought the help or opinion of our partners.

InCIP Kenya and Malawi has made a mark as can be shown by what we have accomplished so far. Our research has taken shape covering all the facets of IC be it social economics, breeding, nutrition, etc. 

All in all we have accommodated the consumer, the farmer and the environment. In essence we are ensuring food security, we are equipping the farmer to remain with money in his pocket and we produced IC using environmentally sound production methods.

Nevertheless we believe that what we have achieved this quarter makes a milestone in IC research. Indeed the completion of the IC handbook preparation will be crucial in IC production growth. The handbook we believe will be an all stop shop for an IC farmer and researchers and extension functionaries.

The preparation is made in an easy to read and understand language appropriate for the target audience. The expertise used in its compilation meets what we believe of essence to the targeted audience. This newsletter also covers our commitment to environmentally sound animal production practices.

The installation of biogas plant will set up a stage for appropriate IC waste handling strategies. I specifically mention this for intensive production systems where waste disposal is normally a big problem. We hope too that IC producers will learn from this development and set the pace for adoption of this strategy in the partner.

I applaud our efforts to spread training between the partner countries. The recent training on Artificial Insemination of IC in Malawi is an achievement worth a pat on our backs. In addition to this I applaud our post graduate students for the commencing of their data collection exercise.

This we know is not an exercise in futility as it will contribute to the growth of IC in the partner countries.In brief I applaud us for our efforts as we continue to accomplish our tasks. We continue to make a mark in agricultural research and our steps have grown from baby steps from the inception meeting to giant steps given where we are in the project.

Please take some time to read this issue of the newsletter to get a grasp of what we have up to this quarter. We hope our newsletter gets a wider readership to enhance adoption of our outputs. You can also get a copy of the newsletter on line and help us circulate it widely.