Emerging Markets

Almost all small farms produce both for self-consumption and for the market. Successful participation in the market not only depends on factors such as the organizational capacity or the existing infrastructure, but also on how farmers can take advantage of the existing value chains and on how they strike a balance between the monetary and non-monetary economies. Many programmes for rural development focus on developing the value chains that link producers to consumers. Most of them assume that, by connecting farmers to people who can buy, process, package, and market their produce, farmers will increase their incomes.

One of the biggest challenges for farmers in Laikipia West and other remote parts of Kenya has always been access to markets where they can sell their produce at a premium prices. This is because most of the best markets are based in urban areas and the farmers find it difficult to access them. They are therefore forced to depend on ‘brokers’ to help them sell their produce, and more often than not, they end up getting shortchanged.

www.sokopepe.co.keWith the rapidly changing nature of Agricultural development and the way food is produced and sold, there is a growing need for farmers to embrace these changes so that they are able to get higher value for their products. It is against this background that ALIN, with the support of the Ford Foundation and in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural Productivity & Agribusiness Project (KAPAP) held a workshop at Sipili, Laikipia County between April 17 and 18, 2013.

April 11 2013
Even in the remotest parts of Tanzania, things are gradually changing with the introduction of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Primary school teachers are grateful that they no longer have to spend several days setting, marking and releasing results for their students.

April 10 2013
Rural communities in Kenya have greatly benefitted from the trainings on Information Communication and Technology (ICT); an investment that many have greatly appreciated courtesy of ALIN.

Tuesday, 25th March 2013.

Isinya Maarifa centre on Friday 22nd March held its graduation ceremony that saw over 100 graduands awarded certificates on basic computer skills.

This ceremony was the 2nd one of its kind since the inception of the free Information Communication and Technology (ICT) trainings which started in January 16th 2012. In an area where resources are scarce, for many, such an opportunity was a dream come true courtesy of ALIN.

Over 3,000 civil servants in Mutomo, Kyuso, Ngarua, Nguruman, Isinya, Ndhiwa and Marigat Maarifa centres have been able to access e-government services for the period between September 2012 to February 2013 courtesy of Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN).

Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) and Dodoma Environmental Network (DONET) recently installed and hoisted a solar-wind generator hybrid system at the newly established Songambele Maarifa centre in Tanzania. The installed hybrid system’s output is 2 kilowatts, sufficient to run the Maarifa Centre’s equipment. The hybrid system has 10 solar panels with a capacity to produce 1kilowatt from solar energy as well as 1 kilowatt from wind energy.

Three ICT trainees from Marigat Maarifa centre were recently recruited by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as part of a voter registration team in an exercise which began on the 19th of November 2012.

The ALIN family is excited to start the New Year in new offices. The move which took place during the 2nd week of December saw ALIN offices shift from the ground floor of the same serene environment at the AAYMCA building to the 3rd floor.

As the impact of climate change manifests in changing patterns of drought and rainfall; and as the global population rises, scientists and farming communities are focusing on new grain varieties that require less water to grow.

ALIN was recently awarded a contract to implement Sub-Component 7 on capacity development and knowledge management in the development of the Action Plan for the National Climate Change Response Strategy.  A key element of the work involves consultations with stakeholders. ALIN has been progressing steadily in this regard, attending several county consultations all over the country.

ALIN is one of the partners in an Oxfam Novib lead team of four partners set to implement the newly-funded Internet Now! project in northern Uganda. The partnership between Oxfam Novib, ALIN, and Samsource, Inveneo will deliver to 100 Maarifa centres with ICT infrastructure, all of which are targeted for rural Northern Ugandan regions.

This week there are lots of exciting developments at Maarifa centres.  Click to read about the different goings-on at the Maarifa centres.  For a full list of Maarifa blogs, please go here.

ALIN is the winner of UNESCO International Programme for Development Communication (IPDC) Prize for Rural Communication 2012.

According to a statement raleased, UNESCO made the decision to award the IPDC Prize jointly to ALIN and Nepal-based Community Radio Support Centre (CRSC), a wing of Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ).

ALIN has won a contract to implement a Sub-Component of work currently under way to develop a National Action Plan for implementing the Kenya National Climate Change Response Strategy. Due to its experience in Knowledge management and a bias towards agriculture, environment and climate change knowledge ALIN’s sub-component will focus on Capacity Building and Knowledge Management.

In ongoing efforts to roll out activities in the Knowledge Creation and Empowerment Pillars of the ALIN 3 Strategy, ALIN has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Practical Action under their Practical Answers initiative to disseminate Practical Action’s Knowledge Products through the Kenya-based seven Maarifa centres. This will be mutually beneficial to the two organisations.

ALIN Maarifa centres in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are offering free ICT training. The trainings present opportunities for marginalized rural communities to become ICT savvy. Training is open to everyone, and has attracted a wide range of students. Below, the centres share some of their stories.

Bill Gates Sr congratulations to ALIN on winning the Access to Learning Award 2011.

Watch video on ALIN Blip TV.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation yesterday presented its 2011 Access to Learning Award of $1 million to the Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), which provides knowledge and information through a variety of innovative channels in remote communities throughout Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The international board of Ashoka has selected The international board of Ashoka has selected and recognized James Nguo, ALIN’s Regional Director, as an Ashoka Fellow for his work in leveraging a well managed and sustainable network of information centers to improve the quality of life of rural small scale farmers in East Africa.James Nguo, ALIN’s Regional Director, as an Ashoka Fellow for his work in leveraging a well managed and sustainable network of information centers to improve the quality of life of rural small scale farmers in East Africa.

The installation of five Inveno computers at the Awach community Maarifa centre, in Gulu district sparked pomp and jubilation as young boys and girls witnessed the launch.

The Sokopepe website is gaining popularity among small-scale farmers in Sipili location, Ng’arua, west of Laikipia County

ALIN's use of I-Pods hailed as an important tool dealing with Climate Change Angelica Valarie Ospina argues on her blog that the increasing diffusion and adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can help

NGO Bureau Board Director Recognises ALIN's Work in Empowering Communities through ICTs The Executive Director of the NGO coordination Board Ambassador Peter Ole Nkuraiyia today paid a courtesy call to Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), an

Rural communities need to be educated about climate change Originally Published by Daily Monitor of Nation Media, 17th February 2010. As climate change effects like reduced rainfall, diseases and famine strike the core livelihood for rural

Maarifa centres, run by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), are renowned for the easy access to information and knowledge resources that they provide even in the remotest of areas.

UNICEF Uganda visits Isinya Maarifa Centre The Isinya Maarifa centre hosted Ms. Terra Weikal from UNICEF Uganda accompanied by Anthony Mugo-Programmes Manager ALIN. The visit sought to find out how a Maarifa (Knowledge) Centre operates and

The decision to support three farmers to participate at the just concluded AgKnowledge ShareFair in Addis.

The ALIN regional networking family composed of 9 Women and 16 men both new and old travelled from the Headquarters

Pomp as Merti Maarifa Centre is Launched Arid Lands Information Network has done it again! A new Maarifa (Knowledge) Centre was launched on May 22 2010 in Merti, Isiolo District, Eastern Province of Kenya. The new