The GroPlus/StopStriga project is funded by Research into Use, a programme that accumulates evidence on how best to enable innovation in agriculture.

Funding for RIU derives ultimately from the British government's international development programmes. 

 

Helping rural farmers

This programme aims to help farmers in Western Kenya to improve their living standards by accessing two technologies that could improve their crop yields. Location of the activities is part of the province of Nyanza, a patchwork of small farms, averaging about half a hectare in size, hence a densely populated but rural landscape. Family incomes in this region are low and any marginal assistance through improved crop yields or pest resistance are socially important to people living there.

Seed priming

The technique of 'priming' cereal crops by pre-soaking them, either in water or for optimum results in a phosphate fertilizer, is one that is proven in use in rural Asia, but is not common practice in Africa. This project aims to demonstrate the benefits to a large number of farming families in Western Kenya, and to make the process sustainable by introducing it as an affordable commercial product.

Striga weed

Striga is a parasitic weed that attacks cereal crops in tropical climates. Its effect is to severely weaken the host plant and rob it of nutrient. The effect on crop yields is dramatic and causes a devastating effect on the livelihoods of poor farmers in developing countries where Striga is present.

The agent being used in this project is a naturally-occuring fungus that in research has been shown to specifically attack the Striga plant, leaving the host untouched. The project aims to find ways to bring this research into practical use.