MANAGEMENT OF THE LAKE VICTORIA BASIN NATURAL RESOURCE

The Subproject aims at enhancing JOOUST’s capacity in protecting and managing natural resources and promoting socioeconomic development by creating new labs,  accrediting postgraduate programs, capacity building, and developing teaching infrastructure for environmental sciences

courses. Furthermore, the Subproject continues to improve environmental science capabilities of JOOUST researchers and students, as well as their engagements with external stakeholders, so that Project deliverables are achieved.  The Subproject is contributing towards the realization of the East African Climate Change Policy, SDGs 14 and 15 and the Kenyan National Development Agenda.

The Subproject is also enhancing networking, student engagement,collaborative knowledge development, andcross-investments by forming partnerships with academic institutions, NGOs, and governmental entities on natural resource management.

 BUILDING CAPACITY FOR TRANSFORMATIVE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS FOR RESILIENCE IN THE LAKE VICTORIA BASIN OF KENYA

The goal of Subproject 2 is to use transformative sustainable approaches for food production to increase resilience of cropping and market systems in the Lake Victoria Basin of Kenya. Since the three transects have different soil types, precipitation patterns, and temperatures, research areas have been identified as follows:

Quinoa research: The study focuses on a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of adaptive traits in quinoa under six contrasting agro-ecological environments. The study evaluates morpho-physiological parameters, yield, quality, lodging, preharvest sprouting, nutritional profile, and disease reactions. The aim is to establish a climate-resilient quinoa seed variety.

Sorghum research: The research assesses the impact of nitrogen-fixing cowpea with poultry manure on grain and sweet sorghum genotypes, yield, and quality during long rainy seasons. It further monitors soil physiochemical properties and assesses the efficiency of transformative climate-smart approaches.

Socioeconomic of crop and livestock adoption and commercialization research:

The research focuses on the socioeconomic aspects of crop and livestock adoption and commercialization, focusing on adoption determinants, resource reallocation, resource use and efficiency, market dynamics, and product design.

BUILDING CAPACITY FOR RESEARCH, MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE AND NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

The Subproject aims at building capacity on cervical cancer, liver cancer, T2D, hypertension research and also establishing a reference laboratory locally. It offers capacity building for medical laboratory technologists and practitioners on biopsy processing and specimen reporting, with support from Flemish partners.

The Subproject will evaluate the prevalence of cervical cancer, liver cancer, T2D, and hypertension in the Lake Victoria Basin through observational studies and cross-sectional data reviews. Mixed method techniques and modelling are used to assess service readiness, economic burdens, and cost-effectiveness of interventions. The Subproject has developed nursing and midwifery curriculum that upon accreditation by the Commission for University Education, will admit students through JOOUST.

Two demonstration experiments will be conducted at referral facilities to establish a digitalized registry of four target diseases. The Subproject is collaborating with Subproject 4 to develop software for accurate diagnostics and will further develop educational materials and train community healthcare workers to manage and prevent cervical, liver, T2D, and HPT diseases.

STRENGTHENING ICT INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENHANCE RESEARCH, TEACHING AND LEARNING

The Subproject uses qualitative approaches to assess digital gender gaps in communities within the Lake Victoria Basin. Field trainings are conducted to address these skills gaps as well as integrating ICT skills into the other four Subprojects. Innovative interventions have been designed to increase access to digital spaces, enhance health information systems, agri-food systems and natural resource management.

Subprojects 1, 2, 3, and 5 will use qualitative and quantitative methods to determine critical indicators of change, integrate geospatial information systems developed by Subproject 4, and use community-based methods, laboratory techniques, and field observations developed by this Subproject. Capacity building is also a key deliverable for the Subproject achieved through training of the PhD students.

STRENGTHENING CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE AMONG COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEMS IN THE LAKE VICTORIA BASIN

Subproject 5 aims at enhancing resilience of LVB communities and ecosystems to climate change through interdisciplinary approaches, focusing on understanding climate change impacts and adopting solutions at household, farm, and landscape levels. The Subproject aims at understanding climate impacts through climate simulations. It also explores solutions for communities and ecosystems to become resilient to climate change, focusing on sustainable technologies and practices adopted by farmers and fishermen. Further, the Subproject explores renewable energy solutions, demonstrating the potential of a solar cooker with thermal energy storage. It also investigates mechanisms for community and regional resilience, addressing cultural, societal, and governance barriers.

For More Information Visit: JOOUST-VLIRIUC