08kn-5207 - KENFAP in HIV/AIDS mitigation among the farming community
KENFAP the apex farmers’ organization in Kenya was formed in 1946. Its main focus is articulating issues affecting farmers and develop possible interventions. The federation has a five year strategic plan (2008-2012) which gives it the strategic orientation. In this strategic plan the association recognizes the threats posed by HIV/AIDS amongst the farming community. In its strategic aim 6 “to improve benefits from agricultural value chain by promoting objective engagement of women, youth, and redressing environmental, HIV/AIDS and other crosscutting concerns”, the federation recognizes the effect of the HIV/AIDS scourge among the farmers and develops possible strategies for redress. The agricultural sector cannot continue with "business as usual" in communities where vast numbers of adults are dead, leaving only the elderly and children. POs are in a strong position to assist in both the prevention and mitigation of the consequences of HIV. In June 2006, KENFAP organised a brainstorming workshop “Confronting HIV/AIDS among farmers in Kenya”. Reason to hold the workshop was the increased negative impact that HIV/AIDS is having on the agricultural sector in the country. Farmers and their organisations came up with ways to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in the farming communities. POs do no have the means and capacity to address the various impacts of the epidemic One of the recommendations for POs is therefore to mainstream HIV/AIDS at two levels: in their activities and in their work policy. In both these areas capacity building of POs – at the organisational level and at the technical and managerial level (staff and farmers’ leaders) is essential to built sustainable solutions for POs to deal with issues of HIV/AIDS prevention, mitigation of effects on communities and so on. The main objective of this project is to conduct an assessment of the HIV risks and impacts among the members of the organisation. This wil be done by executing an assessment study to get an overview of total numbers of members affected and specific problems encountered by the members. The final results of the project will be: (1) to develop lobby and advocacy material; (2) to set up staff training on HIV mainstreaming; (3) to formulate and HIV action plan.