HIV/AIDS And Reduced Agricultural Productivity

This scourge has devastated millions of families in Kenya/Africa and the World over.

In terms of agriculture, families who are both affected and infected end up being food and income secure due to the following reasons:-

1. They loose farm labour due to periodic ailments. Therefore, they cannot produce enough food.
2. Money made from farm sales is spent on medical care. No much money is left for ploughing back into agriculture. This further brings agro-income insecurity.
3. As the farmer’s bodies deteriorate in health, opportunistic diseases occur. They reduce the body nutritional status leading to nutrition insecurity.
4. Attention is also given to the sick in the family. Therefore, the agricultural business suffers loss of time and divided attention.

Based on this scenario, agricultural sustainability is directly and indirectly affected by HIV/Aids. SACDEP therefore responds by designing and implementing programmes as summarized below:-

1. High value crops

Assisting affected families to produce high quality food crops. These include mainly fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. Nutrition is therefore restored.

2. Immunity boosting Livestock Products.

Providing the families with ability to produce and consume livestock products that have capacity to rejuvenate and sustain body immunity. Such initiatives are in Dairy Goats, Chicken, rabbits, honey bees, fish etc.

3. Income generation

Enabling the affected and infected persons to generate income through agriculture. This is by establishing agri-businesses in food production, processing, packaging and marketing.

4. Workshop/Conference facilities.

Supporting Institutions dealing with similar Projects with low-cost seminar workshop and workshop facilities. This is possible and service provision is available at low costs in over 68 bed capacity facility in Thika Town.