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Our Approach to Research
FIPS-Africa is one of a small number of organizations in Africa that can support the entire research into use continuum. The research is farmer-led, with farmers and VBAs identifying the challenges faced by the smallholder farmers. The research focuses on soil health and fertility, water management, pest and disease prevention and control, crop yields, reduction of drudgery, and market system innovations. The emphasis is always on frugal innovations suitable for resource-constrained smallholder farmers.
We are currently implementing research programmes in western Kenya, Rift Valley, and coastal Kenya.
Farmer Research Networks
We have developed facilitation guide covering all of the Farmer Research Network principles. Whilst the core of the Farmer Research Networks (FRNs) is about using replicable research techniques appropriate for on-farm trialing of different approaches, the approach to facilitation and building commitment in the network works on the members emotions. The emotional hook maybe imagining losses in the agroecological landscape, or personal benefits (prioritization and interpretation of experiments). We keenly measure these emotional impacts empirically to assess their impact on the engagement and concentration of network members.
We have noted that splitting a Farmer Research Networks into smaller dialogue groups ideally consisting of around five members, ensured women, youth, and less outspoken members had a voice. These discussions enabled comfortable sharing, and empowering subgroups to relay insights to the larger network assembly. They also worked to create roles for the more confident network members to become part of the facilitation team, with the support of the facilitation guide. This is also building in some sustainability to the group, enabling them to develop their own projects without our. We are in the process of adapting training guides on agronomic practices to include FRN principles. Success with indigenous chicken and day-old chicks have been adapted to include an element of visioning with a strong emotional response. Further guides will be developed.
Option for Agro-Ecological Intensification
We are supporting Farmer Research Network (FRN) groups, aligning with co-creation and knowledge-sharing principles under McKnight Foundation’s Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems (CRFS), in western Kenya. We support the FRNs in developing experiments that are helping to improve advice on soil fertility and controlling crop pests and diseases by combining local and global knowledge.
We have developed process guides tailored to address farmers’ needs and facilitate the expression of their concerns, aligning with the “Farmer” principle within FRN principles. The approach empowers farmers to set the research agenda, co-create and design experiments, and collect data by following farmer research network principles.
Farmer Research Network principles include:
• Farmers who represent the social and biophysical diversity of their communities participate in the whole research process.
• Research is rigorous, democratized, and useful, providing practical benefits to farmers and insights into biophysical and social variation.
• Networks foster collaboration and opportunities for learning and knowledge sharing.
The research being undertaken by the FRNs are designed to be locally relevant, transdisciplinary, and inclusive. The FRNs help to co-create and share knowledge that supports the livelihoods and well-being of smallholder farmers, their communities, and the land we all rely on for our sustenance.
Background: Bokashi composting rapidly breaks down materials into compost which can be used along planting lines to boost soil fertility and crop production. The starting recipe used around KES 1,150 [$9 USD] of materials and labour to produce 270kg or three 90 kg bags – costing around $3 USD a bag.
Challenge: Can frugal innovation be applied to Bokashi composting?
The Kakamega Farmer Research Network identified that the labour input could be reduced by 50%. We adjusted our training materials and trained 200 farmers on Bokashi, composting:
In February 2024, 540 members of the Farmer Research Networks conducted farm research exploring the impact of soil health interventions such as soil pH testing, managing soil and water by making terraces, and the making and application of Bokashi.
The FRN members are also focused on better poultry and dairy management.
We are collaborating with partners to explore a cost-effective strategy for controlling fall armyworm (FAW) in maize, referred to as the soil method. This approach leverages traditional agricultural knowledge, which is currently undergoing thorough testing.
The objective of this research initiative is to gather evidence on the viability of incorporating soil as a management option for FAW in smallholder maize farming systems across Sub-Saharan Africa. The research aims to assess the effectiveness of different soil types and to determine their mode of action as an affordable management technique for FAW, specifically tailored for resource-limited smallholder farmers.
Given that this region shares agroclimatic conditions and farming practices similar to those found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, the findings will support the broader implementation of this innovative solution.
We are working with smallholder farmers, the University of Eldoret, and Pwani University to conduct trials on maize, green gram, and cowpea using WonderGro soil conditioner.
We are testing the efficacy of Wondergrow in partnership with the University of Eldoret. Several treatments are being tested:
In Bungoma, between pH 5.5 there was no significant difference among the treatments. When compared to full-rate DAP:
In Kakamega County, there was no significant difference among the treatments.:
Pwani University is studying the impact of WonderGro on productivity of crops in 10 research sites (5 in Kwale and 5 in Kilifi) for green gram, cowpeas, and maize. IITA trials on nematodes will be established in early 2024.
The team at FIPS-Africa can deliver consultancies across Africa. These consultancies would either work alongside FIPS-Africa international training or stand-alone.
International Training and Development
The VBA-trail pack model, developed by FIPS-Africa, has been widely copied across Africa and beyond. This has had inconsistent results, especially when the work omits key and critical elements of FIPS-Africa’s approach.
The International Training and Development Team has developed a workshop process based on FIPS-Africa’s twenty-two years of experience implementing the VBA-Trial Pack approach. It also supports its implementing partners in other countries in adapting the model to their specific country context, opportunities, and challenges.
We are currently supporting teams developing VBAs in 16 African countries.
FIPS advocates for smallholder-farmer friendly policies. Because of the detailed knowledge of smallholder practices build up over the last twenty years, FIPS is often asked to advise of policy development.
Examples of policy processes that FIPS is supporting, recent work in the Kenya on the potato regulation and policy exemplify the importance of this area of work
Policy area: FIPS is working to have the rooted apical cuttings declared as source materials for Quality Declared Seed (QDS). This suggestion will be reviewed by the National Economic Impact Assessment, then goes to parliament of successful.
Policy area: COMESA wants to identify innovation solutions/strategies to enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of potato value chain in Kenya.
FIPS advocates for smallholder-farmer friendly policies. Because of the detailed knowledge of smallholder practices build up over the last twenty years, FIPS is often asked to advise of policy development.
Examples of policy processes that FIPS is supporting, recent work in the Kenya on the potato regulation and policy exemplify the importance of this area of work
Policy area: FIPS is working to have the rooted apical cuttings declared as source materials for Quality Declared Seed (QDS). This suggestion will be reviewed by the National Economic Impact Assessment, then goes to parliament of successful.
Policy area: COMESA wants to identify innovation solutions/strategies to enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of potato value chain in Kenya.