GRANT AID FOR CULTURAL GRASSROOTS PROJECTS(GACGP)

if you have ideas for cultural grassroots projects in Kenya then it will interest you to know that the Japan Information and Culture Centre is now accepting applications for Grant Aid for Cultural Grassroots Projects (GACGP).

As a means to ensure better response to a variety of increasing needs at the grassroots level in the fields of culture and higher education in developing countries, the Government of Japan introduced a scheme called the Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects in 2000. It is intended to assist the projects of local governments, private higher educational institutions or research institutions and NGOs to cover the cost for procurement of equipment, construction and improvement of facilities, or the subsidy for transportation costs (e.g. incurred in transport of pre-owned judo uniforms, etc). In principle, approximately up to US$100,000 is extended per project.

Some examples of eligible projects for the procurement of equipment are as follows:

(1) Japanese language learning/educating materials or equipment such as language laboratory

(2) Equipment in Japanese national sports or martial arts or Japanese pop culture

(3) Television programs software

(4) Musical instruments

(5) Lighting and acoustic equipment

(6) Audio visual equipment

(7) Broadcasting equipment

(8) Equipment for the preservation of cultural relics

Some examples of eligible projects for the construction and improvement of facilities are as follows:

• Japanese language library at university
• Museum, museum of fine arts
• Facilities of popular or traditional sports in Kenya
• Theater, concert hall

On the contrary, the following items are ineligible :

• Office equipments such as photocopier, fax machine
• Stationery
• Furniture
• Vehicles
• Accessories such as air-condition, ceiling lights, burglar system

In addition, the following projects are ineligible:

• Projects that are currently receiving aid through other grant schemes
• Projects that do not directly benefit the grassroots level and are not directly related to cultural activities
• Projects requesting operating expenses such as:
  • Staff salary
  • Electricity and water consumption
  • Rent for homes or office
  • Fuel and/or gas for vehicles
  • Consumables (supplies, etc.)
  • Land purchase
  • Animal dispersal

Application Process:

Any organization wishing to apply should contact the Embassy of Japan in Kenya for further details or download the application form here:

Contact Information:

Japan Information and Culture Centre,
Embassy of Japan

Mara Road, Upper hill

P.O. Box60202-00200

Tel 2898000, 2898515

Fax 051-2898531

Website: http://www.ke.emb-japan.go.jp

E-mail   : jinfocul@eojkenya.org     

There Is a Productive Chicken Breed Out There

High feed prices, inflation has hit hard on chicken Farmers in Kenya.  Matters have not been helped much by the lack of  a  breed that maximizes  there profitability like the new Kenbro breed from Kenchic. This breed is a layer but on maturity it sells fro meat as well. Such a bread is sure to fetch any farmer more cash at the end of of one cycle as they will benefit from the sell of  eggs as well as chicken meat.

Kepha Maina has been rearing indigenous chickens for many years in his one-acre farm in Wanyororo in Nakuru. But he was disappointed with their rate of growth, egg production and hatching rate. This changed in November last year when he learnt of Kenbro, a dual-purpose breed of chicken that lays more eggs and has quality meat. He ordered 50 Kenbro day-old chicks and went into rearing them. Within six months, his hens were already laying eggs. Maina started selling Kenbro eggs for breeding to other farmers in his area. He hatched Kenbro eggs using his indigenous hens would sell them as day-old Kenbro chicks. Maina has now become known as a breeder of Kenbro chickens in his village. Customers are streaming to his one-acre farm to buy eggs and day-old chicks. But he cannot meet the demand, and he has been forced to put many farmers on the waiting list. He is planning to buy an egg incubator to increase the number of chicks for sale to farmers. “This breed is a blessing to us. It is laying eggs almost daily, and its meat is on high demand in town. The only problem is that I cannot produce enough eggs and chicks for my customers which is why I need an incubator as soon as I can get one”, he says.

Good prices

James Gathogo, an engineer and farmer at Ondiri near Kikuyu town is another Kenbro breeder. He has two incubators, which enable him to incubate and sell Kenbro eggs and day-old chicks to fellow farmers. He sells 400 day-old Kenbro chicks at a price of KSh100 each in a month. A Kenbro cock goes for KSh 1500, while a hen goes for KSh 1200. Due to the many farmers in his waiting list, farmers who ordered Kenbro chicks and eggs from him in April will get their supplies this month. So far he has sold more than 10,000 day-old chicks to farmers. Using his engineering skills, Gathogo produces incubators for interested farmers. He has already developed one from a refurbished refrigerator with a capacity of 500 eggs. He is designing another incubator with a capacity of 3000 eggs to meet the needs of his customers.

What makes this breed attractive?

The two farmers named above are just two of the hundreds of small-scale farmers who have improved their chicken production by buying the Kenbro breed. Why are so many farmers going for the Kenbro breed?


Kenbro has become a breed of choice for farmers due to the following reasons:

• It is a dual-purpose breed that lays more eggs than indigenous chicken and has lean, soft, high quality meat. Kenchic Ltd developed it for poultry farmers interested in a breed that can be both a layer and a broiler.

• Kenbro is a hardy breed with low mortality (death rate).

• Compared to hybrid chicken, it is more resistant to diseases.

• The breed grows and matures fast. With proper feeding, it will start laying eggs at five and a half months and will continue laying eggs continuously with the usual break of five to six weeks while molting.

• It can attain up to four kg with proper feeding.

• Kenbro has high quality meat that is very popular with consumers.

Kenbro chicken breed is a protected brand

The Kenbro breed has been developed and introduced into the Kenyan market by Kenchic Ltd. The company’s marketing manager Humprey Mwangi says that the company felt a need to offer a dual-purpose breed suitable for local conditions and which would require less intensive management than hybrid chicken.

But the main issue that is being raised is whether farmers are allowed to breed Kenbro chicken and sell to other farmers. According to Kenchic Ltd, the farmers are breaking the law because Kenbro is a registered trademark of Kenchic Ltd. Kenbro chicken can only be bred and sold by farmers if the farmers have acquired a license from the company.

Secondly, it is clear that farmers are not selling pure Kenbro chicken if they do not separate Kenbro cocks and chicks from other chicken stock. Inbreeding will therefore spoil its qualities.  Good breeding demands that the breeder has to have a carefully selected breeding stock – the breeder has to start from the grandparent, parents and then their progeny.

In this case, it is only Kenchic that has the grandparents and parents of the Kenbro breed. What farmers are now selling to other farmers is the second or third generation breeds, which may not have the qualities of a pure Kenbro breed. By purchasing Kenbro at this stage they are diluting the genetics and vigour of the original Kenbro breed. Eventually this will dilute the breed to a point where the breed they will be selling is no longer Kenbro.

One reason why farmers are trying tobreed their own Kenbro chicken is the huge demand for the breed, which the company has not been able to meet. However, Mwangi says that soon the shortage will be a thing of the past because the company is working to double its production capacity for this particular breed to meet the demand.

Contact: Kenchic Ltd P.O Box 20052-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 020 2301 518/20 3560 102-3, 20 555 009, 558 102 Mobile 0722 202 163, 0734 600 204. Email:info@kenchic.com

Adopted From Organic Farmer

DEMO Scholarship Program-Free Publicity

As part of a newly announced DEMO Scholarship Program, 20 unfunded companies and 10 student-run companies can apply for free spots at the DEMO Fall Conference, October 1-3 in Silicon Valley.

Two of these coveted spots are now available to TechStars companies; one for an unfunded company who qualifies to launch at DEMO, and one for a student-run company that qualifies for the Student Alpha Program. TechStars is a program that provides startups with seed funding from over 75 top venture capital firms and angel investors, as well as intense mentorship from hundreds of the best entrepreneurs in the world.

DEMO sets itself apart from all other launch options. DEMO’s track record of success, scholarship opportunities, turnkey services and exposure to the entire tech ecosystem of VCs, investors, IT buyers and the global IT press make DEMO the premier launch option.

If you have an amazing innovation currently in alpha stage, apply to pitch at DEMO to reach an audience of top investors and potential customers who can catapult you to the next development stage and beyond.

 

Bamboo farming in Kenya

For sometime now  momentum has been gathering over bamboo farming. Many whispers in bar corners go unnoticed over how many thousands per month one can make while growing bamboo.
The bug has caught up with me, but unlike my peers I thought it best to get the word going. The next big thing is here, well  it has always been with us,but do wee see?
Experts don't get that name for nothing , they always know what they are doing and those in the agricultural sector are not any different.
Here lies a PDF book that will give you insights on how to grow bamboo and join the millionaire club if you will.

How to Feed Chicken

An egg-laying chicken requires 130 g of feed per day (provide clean water at all times).

• 1 chick requires 2.2 kg of feed for 8 weeks (thus 100 chicks = 2.2 kg x 100=220 kg. Chicks should be allowed to feed continuously and given adequate clean water at all times). If they finish their daily rations, give them fruit and vegetables cuttings to feed on.

• 1 pullet (young chicken about to start laying) should be fed 4.5 kg of feed for two and a half months until the first egg is seen. It should then be put on layer diet. Supplement with vegetables, edible plant leaves or fruits peelings in addition to the daily feed rations.

• All ingredients used must be of high quality and palatable. Never use rotten maize (Maozo). Chickens are very susceptible to aflatoxins poisoning.

• When using omena as an ingredient, ensure it is free of sand and seashells. If

you use maize germ, it should be completely dry.

• Feed should be thoroughly mixed to ensure the ingredients are uniformly distributed. It is preferable to use a drum mixer instead of a spade for mixing.

• Note that even after giving them the formulated feeds, chickens should be put on free range to scavenge for other micronutrients not provided for in the feeds.

how to make your own chicken feed

With the rising cost of poultry feeds, farmers rearing chickens are increasingly finding it difficult to make profit from poultry keeping. While it is difficult for farmers to formulate feeds for hybrid chickens such as broilers and layers, they can do so for their indigenous chickens or dual-purpose breeds such as Kenbro under intensive management system. This can be done using the PearsonSquare method.


However, this is only possible if farmers have the right quality of ingredients or raw material for formulating feeds. The Pearson Square method relies on the Digestible Crude Protein (DCP) as the basic nutritional requirement for feed. The most common ingredients used are whole maize, maize germ, cotton seed cake, soya beans, sunflower or omena (fishmeal).

Example 1: Feed for Layers
Assuming that the farmer wants to make feed for their chickens using the Pearson Square method, they have to know the crude protein content of each of the ingredients used in feed making. The farmer may use whole maize (8.23 % DCP) Soya (45 % DCP) Omena (55 % DCP) and maize bran (7 % DCP) Sunflower (35 % DCP). To make a 70 kg bag of feed for layers, a farmer would require the following ingredients:


34 kg of whole maize

12 kg of Soya

8 kg of omena

10 kg of maize bran

6 kg of Lime (as a calcium source)


Each category of chickens has its own requirements in terms of nutrition. For example, feed for layers should have at least 18 per cent crude protein. If one were to formulate feed for layers, then they would have to calculate the percentage of digestible crude protein in each of the ingredients to ensure that the total crude protein content is at least 18 per cent to meet this nutritional requirement. To find out if the feed meets this standard, a farmer can do a simple calculation as follows:


Whole maize = 34 kg x 8.23 ÷100 = 2.80 kg

Soya bean = 12 kg x 45 ÷ 100 = 5.40 kg

Omena = 8 kg x 55 ÷ 100 = 4.40 kg

Maize bran = 10 kg x 7 ÷ 100 = 0.70 kg

Lime = 6 kg x 0 ÷ 100 = 0.00 kg

(Total crude protein 13.30 kg)

To get the total crude protein content of all these ingredients in a 70 kg bag, you take the total crude protein content of the combined ingredients, divide by 70 and multiply by 100 thus, (13.30÷70) x 100 = 19.0 %. This shows that the crude protein percentage in the above feed formulation is 19.0 % which is suitable for layers. Before mixing the feed, whole maize including the other ingredients has to be broken into the right sizes through crushing or milling to make it palatable for the chickens. Add 250 g of table salt on every 70 kg bag of feed.


Feed for chickens meant for meat


Chickens meant for meat production require feed with a higher content of DCP. From the first to the fourth week, the chicks require feed with a DCP content of between 22 to 24 per cent. From the fourth to the eighth week, the chicks require feed with a protein content of 21 to 22 per cent crude protein. To attain this requirement, farmers can formulate feed using the same method given above. To make a 70 kg bags of feed, they will need to have all the right the ingredients in the proportions given below:


Whole maize = 40 kg x 8.23 ÷ 100 = 3.20 kg

Omena = 12 kg x 55 ÷ 100 = 6.60 kg

Soya beans = 14 kg x 45 ÷ 100 = 6.30 kg

Lime = 4 kg x 0 ÷ 100 = 0.00 kg

(Total crude protein 16.10 kg)


To determine if a 70 kg bag of feed has adequate crude protein content for birds meant for meat production, the same methods is used: (16. 10 ÷ 70) x 100 = 23 %. The feed given in this example has a total crude protein content of 23 % which is adequate to feed chicken in this category. In every 70 kg bag of feed, add 250g of table salt.


Ration for kienyeji chickens


Indigenous chickens are less productive in terms of egg and meat increase. They may not require intensive feeding and management. For this category of chickens, farmers can constitute feeds with a DCP of between 15 – 16 %. They can use the following formulation to make feeds for the indigenous chickens:


Whole maize = 33 kg x 8.23 ÷100 = 2.70 kg

Maize or wheat bran = 14 kg x 7 ÷ 100 = 0.98 kg

Omena = 7 kg x 55 ÷ 100 = 3.85 kg

Soya = 7 kg x 45 ÷ 100 = 3.15 kg

Lime = 5 kg x 0 ÷ 100 = 0.00 kg

(Total crude protein 10.68 kg)


Percentage of total crude Protein in the ingredients = (10.68 ÷70) x 100 = 15.25 %


For farmers rearing hybrid layers and broilers, it is advisable to buy already constituted feeds from reputable companies that sell quality feed. The main reason is that it is very difficult for farmers to constitute micronutrients such as amino-acids, trace minerals, fat and water soluble vitamins that these breeds of chicken require for proper growth.


To be sure that their feed is of the right quality, farmers can send a sample of the constituted feeds for testing and advice to KARI Naivasha, which has modern equipment for testing feed quality. A sample costs Ksh 1,000 to test. Send samples by courier to the following address: KARI Naivasha P.O. Box 25, 20117 Naivasha, Tel. 0726 264 032. Results are ready within a day.




Adopted here

how to grow your business

For the faint hearted it is not easy to go in business, but once you make that decision you better mean it as though your life depend on it. It is such a spirit that will differentiate you and the other Wanjiku's that do business for leisure. Ofcourse what you get into must be stimulating enough for you if you are to succeed. meaning you need to enjoy doing it but not as a leisure activity. If you want to grow in business you need to have a clear cut strategy and not just do it because mama sam your next do neighbour is at it. For the beginners marketing is what sets you apart, its doesn't have to be grandiose, its even the small time talk you have with the guys in the Matatu or a poster you hang outside the premise. Its really the small things that put word out about your product and not TV ad space or billboards.

A head start in the real estate market in Kenya: Part 1

Like anywhere else in the world as populations grow so does the demand for housing. The difference though in Kenya is that the rate of population growth to a large extend oversteps that of the number of new units. Matters are not helped either by the fact that the older population also is seeking the same new houses that are being sort by their young ones. This only means one thing, real estate companies will have a field day as long as the situation persists. The government which was to come in and give the much needed help through the National Housing Corporation is doing what governments do best: nothing. Besides, the body is riddled with corruption to the extent of ministers allocating themselves three houses in the scheme. Such a shame! What is not shameful though is the fact that you can get in the middle of it and help arrest the hind demand for housing units at the same time bulging your bank account. The question many ask when they get is “how to get a head start?’. If you ask reputable estate agents they will tell you it is as easy as selling mandazi on the road side. They all started small and many a times not with their capital. Forming strategic partnerships is the rule of the Game. Call it "You should know people" the Nancy Baraza way but that is the stuff that is business. Drop around for more on this and much more in part 2

venture into digital televison

Kenya has been and is positioning itself into launching into digital television signals broadcasting. Though the tempo seems to have been watered down with excuses like money meant for the swich has been diverted into prepairing the county for elections, we are still on course. For the savvy enterprenuer ther exits a grace period for one to capitalise on. In as much as we are swiching, until now almost all the TV boxes in kenya have no ability to receive the signal. The venture then would be liasing the ministry to find out the set top boxes that can receive the signal and supplying them to over 4 million tv owners in kenya. This investemnt will require some serious money but what i know is, you can still venture. I will tell you for free that the many chamas we have in kenya can and have the ability to put ther resources to this if individuals have cant. so go ahead be the one migration your chama to wealth creation as you help the country migrate from its 'analog' ways

Konza city land-Buyer Be Ware

The government will control land use adjacent to Konza city. Many people want to take advantage of the investment options that the new technopolis will bring. One of the options that seems juicy is the land adjacent to the city. It looks reasonable to want to purchase the land near the city and develop it, speculate it or do whatever people do with land. When doing this be sure to note the governments intention to control development around the city. The government is planning to set aside between 2 to 10 KMs of land as a buffer zone.LAND USE in this region will be controlled on not allowed at all depending on the closeness to the city. Before you buy that piece of plot with your hard earned cash, do some due diligence or risk losing all money.

How to Create Wealth

Many books have been written about wealth and how to get rich.If you have been reading this books then you will notice one constant them in them all. They emphasize on the need to save and save diligently. Get rich quick schemes have no place in the world of the rich. You need to have a plan and follow it meticulouslly to achieve your life goals. Read tips on how to save here. If you intent to start a business and notice that you don't have enough cash to do so, do not despair. There is still hope if you seat down and plan well. Do not rush to borrow to start a business, it doesn't work well for starts ups. Borrowing will only work if you want to expand your already steady business. For that matter save, join a chama, open an account, join an investment group do everything you can to make sure you don't fall in debt. But if you happen to here few tips on how to manage dept.

Youth should/can get a slice of govenment contratcs

If the directive by the president is anything to go by. The youth will find it much easier to access public contatcs than before. The president directed that 10 per cent of all Government procurement be allocated to the youth so as to further empower them. He spoke this at the Bomas of Kenya during the celebration to mark the 5th anniversary of the Youth enterprise fund. Read more here

COOKING STOVE DISTRIBUTORS WANTED

COOKING STOVE DISTRIBUTORS WANTED Paradigm Kenya An international organization has set up base in Kenya and is looking for businesses oriented people to help it in their distribution of environ and jikopoa cooking stoves. To qualify you need To be registered business To be have been in operation for 3 years To have capital of 1m To have a pick up or lorry To have office with access to email and telephone To be recommended by 3 institutional partners For more detail contact Paradigm Kenya 2nd floor Empress Plaza Ring Rd Westlands P.O Box 22680-00100 Nairobi +254 20 81 55 941 Go theparadigmproject.org/channelpartners Successful applicants will be called for a dealer forum on 24 feb2012

kisumu international airport

The opening of Kisumu Airport to the world is a great boost to the western kenya economy. Tourism, tour and taxi businesses are some of the opportunities you should be looking to exploit. I will go with taxi first because people landing there will need to get to the city for onward business.

loans for greenhouse farming

Greenhouse farming is the farming of the future. It ensures maximum utility f land with boosts output tenfold. The youth fund in collaboration with the Amiran kenya realize these and that's why they came up with the greenhouse loan scheme for youth groups.All you need to have is a piece of land or rights to use a piece of land for three years and the ability to raise 10% of the total value of the loan. Read more on loans for Greenhouse farming

New dye by Moi University a boost to textile trade

Moi university is turning out to be the university of firsts. It started with acquiring Rivertex and now they have come up with a new dye that will see them save about 18 million in costs. The saving will arise because they will no longer need to import expensive dye from Italy and India to be used at Rivertex. such is the work that should be done by universities in an efforts to push the country to the next level of industrialisation.Kudos Moi university!

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Konza City

Little is being said about the planned master city. The people with the information are being very selfish for reasons they know best. One thing you should know is that the city will be reality and if you are not doing anything to be part of it then you are missing on the chance of your lifetime. Many will ask what can we do?...The answer will be found in this extract of the city's website "Konza offers probably the best location to do business in Africa and one of the most sought after international commercial investment opportunities. The new city provides some of the most valuable and sought after real estate in the country served by excellent communications and the best ICT infrastructure in Kenya. All this is set within a high quality masterplanned environment." If you read carefully between the lines there lies the gold mine. Get more from http://www.konzacity.co.ke/