Sarah Whitelock of NFU(right) and Ngaio Bowthorpe (2nd from left) of FARM-Africa appreciates hardwork done by Orange Flesh Sweet Potato farmers in Homabay, Kenya

The National Farmers Union (NFU), the largest body representing the UK agricultural sector and FARM-Africa recently launched a joint national fundraising appeal for MATF called The Africa 100 Appeal. The NFU hopes that by leading this initiative, it will encourage support from across British agriculture for African farmers. The launch of this appeal marks the NFU’s centenary year.

In August 2008, the MATF organized a one-week field visit for NFU to three projects in Kenya, with the aim of providing an opportunity to meet the beneficiaries as well as to gather relevant information in support of the appeal. Also, it was meant to provide the NFU with an understanding of the context and impact of MATF. Sarah Whitelock, Head of Communications, represented NFU. She was accompanied by Farm-Africa’s Public Relations Manager and MATF officials.

They visited the Silage making and the African Indigenous Vegetable projects in Kiambu District, and the orange flesh sweet potato in Homabay District.

The visit revealed that MATF’s projects have already demonstrated significant improvements in staple food production for farmers in East Africa. Based on this, the Africa 100 appeal is uniting the  UK farming industry to raise funds to help increase sustainable food production.

For more information, visit the Africa 100 appeal web site at: www.africa100appeal.com