Kennedy grad conducting farming research in Kenya

Editor’s note: Daniel Bornstein, a former student columnist for the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds, is now a sophomore at Dartmouth College. An Intel Science Talent Search semifinalist, and salutatorian of his class at Kennedy, Bornstein is now conducting research at the World Agroforestry Center in Kenya. He wrote this column about his experiences there.

LARI DISTRICT, Kenya—As international institutions and donor countries continue to advocate for technical fixes to the global food crisis, the Bathi Dairy and Horticulture Group shows that another path is possible: empowering farmers’ organizations to take the lead on local food security initiatives.

This group of 23 small farmers in central Kenya, roughly 30 miles outside Nairobi, offers evidence of the crucial role of African governments in promoting development. It was formed as a result of the National Agriculture and Livestock Extension Program, which helped farmers specialize in potato production to feed themselves. Now, as a community, they want to ultimately become self-sufficient in this crop. And Bathi has created a community potato seed bank to ensure farmers’ access to certified seed, protecting farmers against vulnerability to distant markets. I had the opportunity to meet with them recently as a participant in EcoAgriculture Partners’ conference on food security, livelihoods and conservation.

“Our goal is to be the sole supplier of potato seeds for the entire district,” said Stephen Gikonyo, Bathi’s secretary.

Following the harvest, all 23 farmers come together and market their produce collectively to guarantee a fair price. And they’re buying chemical fertilizers in bulk to shield themselves from high costs, sometimes even using their bargaining power to demand a lower price. Yet, since the 2008 food price spike revealed farmers’ susceptibility to the cost of chemical inputs, it’s crucial that these farmers—and those all over Africa—investigate ways to improve productivity without relying on fertilizers.