Fruiting Africa project’s activities were carried out through five main components. Activities for each component were implemented in work packages as follows;

Work Package (WP) 1: Baseline and end-of-project surveys, participatory action research and development of location-specific interventions

The objective of this work package was to ascertain the status quo of the fruit sector and identify its potentials/challenges in Kenya and Mali. The main output for this WP was to develop and disseminate impact-oriented interventions and site-specific fruit tree portfolios adapted to local climate change and farming systems.

Achievements for the activities implemented in WP 1;

  • Conducted baseline survey of 800 randomly selected farm households (hh), including inventories of fruit trees on a subsample of 172 farms; a baseline survey on fruit consumption of 800 farm hh in addition to 200 non-farm hh of the same locations, fruit market surveys for selected local and regional markets and conducted several focus group discussions (FGDs) with related stakeholders;
  • Documented available and future suitable fruit tree species, and selected Baobab Adansonia digitata, Guava psidium guajava and Mango Mangifera indica fruits for analysis of nutritional content and value
  • Identified and selected a set of 3 exotic and 3 indigenous fruit species (IFTs) for propagation and dissemination based on the mapping exercise and on results of the participatory priority selection;
  • Baseline results and intervention outcomes assisted in the identification of knowledge gaps/bottlenecks and improvement potentials with regard to species propagation, husbandry techniques, marketing and value adding for the identified priority species and the assessment of the domestication status of each of the selected IFTs;
  • Baseline results, participatory research and field interactions led to the development of site-specific fruit tree portfolios for the research locations and other communication materials as shown below

Some of communication materials developed from baseline and interviews results

  • A number of publication prepared, shared and/ or published from the results of the baseline survey (focussing particularly on regression models explaining the current fruit tree diversity, production and consumption) – See project output tab
  • End-of-project evaluation surveys conducted.

Work Package 2: Establishment and maintenance of sustainable fruit tree seedling supply systems by using the ‘Rural Resource Centre’ approach

The main aim of Work Package two was to support the establishment of sustainable and efficient supply hubs of high quality fruit tree planting material by establishing Rural Resource Centres (RRCs) adapted to local socio-economic and ecological conditions. In addition, activities of this work package were geared towards the establishment of mother-blocks and demonstration plots to provide quality propagation materials and a learning space respectively.

Achievement for activities implemented in this work package includes;

  • In partnership with KALRO Thika, the project sourced for new improved varieties of selected priority fruit species, which were distributed to different KALRO centres for establishment and evaluation of performance before distribution to farmers;

Well adapted and vigorous growing peaches (Oom sarel variety) and nectarine (Sunlite variety) established at KALRO Thika

  • Established two Rural Resource Centres (RRC) – one in Machakos and one in Western Kenya, six local satellite nurseries, three mother blocks and three demonstration plots in Kenya and an RRC in Mali;
  • Monitoring of efficiency of established seedling supply systems

Work Package 3: Development and dissemination of knowledge and information sharing products on sustainable fruit tree propagation and improved on-farm management

Work package three was aimed at developing farmers’ capacities and skills in fruit propagation and production practices enhanced by applying and testing different intervention approaches. Activities under this package were therefore geared towards developing suitable communication materials for training smallholder farmers, nursery managers and other interested parties. Participants were trained on improved techniques for fruit tree propagation and on-farm cultivation which will have a positive impact on the income generation of trainees. Besides training, farmers benefited from ‘farmer-to-farmer’ learning platforms and access to improved planting material of fruit trees promoted by the Fruiting Africa project.

Main implemented activities included;

  • Developing a publicly accessible database (hosted by the ICRAF website) of major fruit species documented in Kenya. A Fruit book is also under development.
  • Development of extension and training materials on fruit tree propagation techniques and on farm management practises for selected priority fruit species;
  • The project has directly reached out to about 3,000 farmers in Kenya, and about 500 in Mali, through participation of different dissemination forums and has trained farmers in fruit tree propagation and domestication as well as in integration and management of fruit trees in multi-species agroforestry systems by using different intervention approaches, e.g. farmers’ field schools, farmer to farmer training, RRC-based training using a mix of methods, ‘classical’ KARI training

A practical grafting demonstration to event participants

  • Monitoring the efficiency of different intervention approaches used and the adoption of fruit tree cultivation within the project sites

Work Package 4: Development and dissemination of nutrient-maintaining fruit processing technologies and capacity building of key stakeholders along the fruit value chain on improved post-harvest techniques, value adding and marketing of fruits

The main output for this work package was to develop and disseminate nutrient-maintaining techniques and processing methods aimed at reducing high post-harvest losses of fruits among fruit producers and processers. Activities were therefore geared towards training smallholders, micro-processors and other small-scale entrepreneurs, particularly to women and women groups, in simple processing and value addition techniques that would assist to reduce post-harvest losses of fresh fruits.

Implemented activities include;

  • Performed a Mango value chain analysis within four areas in Machakos county, in addition to conducting market surveys within the main markets of the research areas to collect data on availability, seasonality, sources, quality and prices of mango fruits (repeated in different seasons) and to identify opportunities for fruit producers to join the value chains;
  • In partnership with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), the project supported the development and testing of a nutrient-sensitive fruit-yoghurts and mango fruit leathers products as simple fruit post-harvest and processing techniques (i.e. technologies that help to maintain key nutrients such as vitamins during post-harvest periods and fruit processing to producers, micro-processors and other key stakeholders along fruit value chains);
  • The project trained about 20 producer and processor groups on business, management and negotiation skills;

Business skills graduates display certificates after completing the training

  • The project procured a fruit pulper for training and demonstration purposes at the Machakos rural resource centre.

Work Package 5: Awareness creation of rural and urban consumers on the value of fruits for nutrition and health

The main output for this work package was to create increased consumer awareness on the nutritional value of fruits through a combination of different extension, training and dissemination approaches, targeting general public and particularly the school-going children. The low fruit consumption in the target countries is partly attributed to lack of knowledge on the value of fruits for health and to the transition process towards ‘westernization’ of diets (e.g. by eating more ‘fast foods’ and shifting to a diet rich in carbohydrates and fat), particularly of rather wealthy urban and peri-urban populations. Although of high nutritional value, indigenous fruits are often regarded as ‘poor people’s food’ and as inferior to exotic ones. Information and awareness creation among consumers is crucial for increasing exotic and indigenous fruit consumption and improving health.

Main activities undertaken in WP 5 include;

  • Characterise the nutritional value of priority indigenous fruits where information is lacking, taking into consideration the variability of nutrient contents among different populations of a species;
  • Train different consumer groups and care givers, mainly mothers and young women, on the value of fruit consumption and on alternative ways of incorporating more fruits into  household diets

Nutrition training provided by ICRAF staff to farmer group representatives in Machakos County (a), examples of used training posters (b), participants involved in a group work exercise (c), and trainees performing the healthy cooking demonstrations (d). Photo source: Norah Ndege

  • Carry out general and targeted media campaigns on the importance of fruit consumption through a national TV station in partnership with Shamba Shape Up programs.
  • Up-scale the ‘Healthy Learning Program’ by establishing school tree nurseries and fruit orchards for education of future farmers and consumers, and providing about 1,000 pupils and their parents with classes on importance of consuming balanced diets for healthy and nutrition;
  • Continued monitoring and evaluation of impact and adoption of the implemented interventions.