Congress Tours

Day Field Visit: On Wednesday, 5 th October, Congress participants will be accorded an opportunity to experience the realities of Kenya’s advances in sustainable/conservation agriculture – from smallholder systems to large-scale commercial establishments. This is also being planned to offer the participants a life-time exposure to the beauty of Kenya’s rich tourist features and hospitality.

The following six field visit options are planned for this day. These are DAY-TRIPS. Indicate your preference on the Registration Form.

Field Visits	Destination	Main features of visit	Other Information
Option 1	KARI Thika	Visit KARI within Nairobi and Thika Town about 40kms from Nairobi. Horticulture and conservation agriculture. KARI will demonstrate long term CA practices and tools and visit Kenya Soil Survey. Visit Kenya Institute of Organic Farming and the large scale horticulture farms in Thika.	Visit NGOs promoting sustainable agriculture around Thika area.
Option 2	Laikipia	Cool and extensive farming with wheat and maize. Dairy farming is prevalent. Kms from Nairobi in the rift valley. Will see CA efforts in both large scale and small scale farms and how these two groups of farmers are helping each other to scale up CA. Use of machinery.	Will also visit land rehabilitation/soil conservation projects in Laikipia oriented towards Arid and Semi arid areas.
Option 3	Mbeere/Embu	On the drier sides of Mt. Kenya about 200kms from Nairobi. Maize, livestock , coffee. Small scale CA groups working on cover crops and farmer friendly equipment and challenges facing them esp. in dry areas. Visit to farmers working on Agroforestry for soil and water conservation and fodder.	Visit to Kamurugu Agricultural Center to see how they produce and market mangoes, avocadoes, pawpaws.
Option 4	Machakos	Only 50 kms from Nairobi. Dryland farming and horticulture production in both hilly and flat plain topography. Small scale farmers promoting CA in dry areas working with cover crops and how to control weeds. Seed production systems for sustainability. Visit farmers practicing soil and water conservation in Machakos.	Renowned in the region for its successes in soil and water conservation efforts. Will visit KARI Katumani sites on dryland farming and marketing issues.
Option 5	Nakuru	160 kms from Nairobi on the floor of the Rift Valley. Extensive maize and wheat farming. Visit small scale CA farmers to see the integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers including cover crop and composting. Use of local level CA tools. Pass through Gilgil and look at local tools manufactureing company.	Visit conservation efforts by Lake Nakuru Environmental Conservation Project. If time allows, see Flamingoes.
Option 6	Narok	80 kms from Nairobi on the vast Rift valley. Extensive maize and wheat farming. Large scale CA practices for maize and wheat production including use of herbicides and large equipment. Interract with the Kenya Maize Development Programme.	Narok is home to the Maasai people well known for livestock keeping. Lots of wild animals in the area.