February 7, 2022 - Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has included TEFF grain, a dual-purpose crop used for human consumption and livestock feed, in its research list.
Originally from Ethiopia and Eritrea, TEFF fine grain has become a popular health food globally, available in various colors and used to make 'Enjera', a fermented flat bread.
KALRO has trained trainers on TEFF value chain, with Marsabit County pioneering its production and prioritizing the crop under the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) with government and World Bank support.
According to Dr. Felister Makini, Deputy Director General, Crops at KALRO, TEFF is a super food due to its high nutritive value and rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Dr. Makini noted that TEFF has relative tolerance to pests and diseases, adapts well to various cropping systems, and has a long shelf life with minimal post-harvest losses.
She added that KALRO has developed 10 high-yielding TEFF varieties, including Marsabit 1, Marsabit 2, and Lusike white, which are in the process of registration following validation trials in Northern Kenya.
Trials on mechanization are ongoing at Katumani, Machakos, and KALRO will provide information on markets and marketing soon.
Currently, KALRO is researching diversification of TEFF food products to meet consumer tastes, with a value addition manual for TEFF in the works.
Lead Research Scientist and Plant Breeder Rachel Kisilu noted that TEFF is a potential crop, drought-tolerant, maturing, and highly nutritive, with high potential yields for farmer's consumption.
She added that KALRO has selected 36 varieties, with 11 good lines to be taken to KEPHIS for evaluation and eventual release.
By the end of this year, KALRO aims to have new varieties released to farmers, with good agronomic practices and packaging of good planting technologies to secure their food and nutritional security.
