COMPONENTS


The project involves four major thrusts:

1. Research
The project built and equipped a grain laboratory at Maseno. This
laboratory has the capacity to analyze samples of maize and other
grain for insect infestation, mould damage including aflatoxin, and
other quality deterioration. It is operated by the Ministry of
Agriculture and it should provide an increasingly important moni-
toring and research service to farmers and training institutions.
This component both produced an appropriate post-harvest tech-
nology for western Kenya and served to refine this technology as
feedback was received from the farmers.

2. Demonstration Structures
Improved grain storage structures have been introduced through-
out western Kenya to raise awareness. In five years of major
activity the project erected about 2,500 new cribs and baskets.
To stimulate innovation and acceptance, small clusters of four or
five leading farmers are selected by Ministry ofAgriculture District
Post-Harvest Officers to receive the new structures. Under this
programme, these farmers are provided with a crib or basket-
depending on the size of their farms and storage needs-and
trained in the fundamentals of maize storage management. Peri-
odically, the extension officers conduct field days and demonstra-
tions on the farms of these selected farmers to show the results of
good grain storage management to
neighboring farmers.
Up to four field days are held for each
cluster of participating farmers. The
topics discussed on these days include:
when to harvest, how to practise pre-
storage hygiene, how to dry, shell and
treat maize for storage-and follow-up
inspection of stored maize. In the
project's first five years, over 40,000
farmers attended such field days.