Exploring opportunities for the exploitation of polymer-based technologies to reduce food waste and enhance incomes for fine bean farmers in Kenya

这项可行性评估的主要目标是为在肯尼亚成功部署创新的农业改良产品(PAM)建立必要的手段，该技术是由一组研究人员和合作者利用公共资金开发的。AGS Ekology Ltd.(AGS)是提供Innovate UK项目的一部分，该项目名为：_新型聚合物技术，以减少肯尼亚小农和商业精豆种植者的浪费并增加收入_。该团队开发了使用阴离子聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)的技术喷雾创新，以最大限度地减少对优质豆类的污染，在肯尼亚，由于土壤飞溅的污染，优质豆类占农场大门垃圾的25%。这是由于植物病原体飞溅转移造成的直接产量损失，以及真菌和细菌病原体造成的豆类品质缺陷。我们的试验结果表明，我们的新型PAM应用技术可以减少高达67%的污垢。因此，喷洒PAM可以增加适销对路的产量，减少废弃物，减少用水量和增加农场收入。现在需要进行可行性研究，以评估在肯尼亚各地更广泛地采用PAM技术以减少食物浪费的能力。PAM的使用方法和浓度因土壤类型而异。在我们的研究中，我们测试了来自肯尼亚的4种广泛的土壤类型，这些土壤是从英国进口进行分析的。然而，优质豆类种植在该地区更广泛的土壤类型上，应该在当地进行测试，以降低与开采相关的成本。作为这项可行性研究的一部分，我们将评估肯尼亚需要测试的土壤类型，以及肯尼亚土壤实验室执行校准我们的PAM技术所需分析的能力。我们还将探索建立向农民提供PAM的分销网络的适当方法，以及培训农民正确使用PAM的外展/教育能力。最后，我们将与监管机构会面，如KEPHIS(肯尼亚植物卫生监察局)，以确定获得PAM商业使用许可所需的步骤。通过这一可行性评估，我们将能够开发PAM分销企业，以减少从肯尼亚到英国的生鲜农产品供应链中食品和水资源的浪费。在支持气候适应技术至关重要的环境变化时代，这将增加小农的收入，并增强农业的可持续性。

The key objective of this feasibility assessment is to establish the necessary means for successful deployment of an innovative agricultural amendment product ('PAM') in Kenya based on technology that has been developed a team of researchers and collaborators using public funds.AGS Ekology Ltd. ('AGS') is part of the consortium delivering an Innovate UK project titled: _Novel polymer-based technologies to reduce waste and enhance incomes for smallholder and commercial fine bean growers in Kenya_. The team have developed technological spray innovations using anionic polyacrylamides (PAM) to minimise soiling of fine beans, which accounts for \>25% of farm gate rejects in Kenya due to 'soil splash' contamination. This is due to direct yield losses associated with splash transfer of plant pathogens and bean quality defects due to fungal and bacterial pathogens. Results from our trials indicate that our novel PAM application technologies can reduce soiling by up 67%. Spraying PAM can thus increase marketable yields, curtail rejects, reduce water consumption and increase farm revenue.A feasibility study is now needed to assess the capacity for wider uptake of PAM technology to reduce food waste throughout Kenya. The application method and concentration of PAM used varies according to soil type. During our research, we have tested 4 broad soil types from Kenya which were imported for analysis in the UK. However, fine beans are grown on a much wider variety of soil types across the region, which should be tested locally to reduce costs associated with exploitation. As part of this feasibility study, we will assess the soil types in Kenya that need to be tested, as well as the capacity of Kenyan soil labs to perform the analyses required to calibrate our PAM technology. We will also explore appropriate means of establishing a distribution network to deliver PAM to farmers, coupled with outreach/education capabilities to train farmers on its correct application. Finally, we will meet with regulatory agencies, such as KEPHIS (Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service), to determine the steps required to get PAM licensed for commercial use.From this feasibility assessment we will be able to develop a PAM distribution venture to reduce the wastage of food and water resources in the fresh produce supply chain from Kenya to the UK. This will improve revenues for smallholder farmers as well as enhance the sustainability of agriculture in an era of environmental change where support for climate adaptation technologies is critical.