ABSTRACT
Cassava (Manihots esculenta) is an important staple food among the people on the Kenyan Coast. This CARP innovation platform collaborated with cassava stakeholders to improve food security and sustainable growth in the face of climate change. The research established that only 13% of farmers use clean planting material and farmer-preferred varieties were most susceptible to Bemisia tabaci-caused diseases. The project developed clean planting materials, strengthened local multiplication and good agronomic practices including the most effective push and pull crops to intercrop with cassava to minimize the whiteflies. TVET students, local farmers and women’s groups gained skills. Most farmers have improved incomes by selling seed, roots, animal feeds or home-processed cassava products. They have developed fortified products and some have become ambassadors of the crop in the counties. The Hub established at the University has since been institutionalized and continues to serve students and farmers and has triggered additional financing to ensure sustainability and a number of student-developed start-ups to serve communities. Curricula for both under- and post-graduate programmes have been reviewed to accommodate skills for innovations during training. Seed multiplication and cassava processing infrastructure were established locally, and nationally cassava seed system regulations are being reviewed with evidence from the platform.
