Students Internship (2 Positions) at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

The assignment (Students Internship on economics of fodder production and improved manure management)

We intend to recruit four students to help us in Kenya to work on two concrete and important challenges: a) the economics of fodder production and b) techniques for improved manure management. On both challenges little work has been done so far and these assignments will help us to make a big step forward.

The economics of fodder production

• Although some general calculations have been made on the cost and return of improved fodder production, we miss concrete key data to give dairy farmers in informed advice on the cost of fodder production and on the potential returns of improved fodder production. These data are paramount in responsible promoting the planting fodders. 
• The assignment involves interviewing experts and farmers on the activities in fodder production, conservation and feeding and making inventories the required inputs, machinery and labour needed and the cost involved. The monetary value of the fodder production needs to be assessed in comparison to purchasing fodder. Also, practical on-farm trials will be part of the assignment. This will be done for three distinct climatic zones. This will enable us to get a first check on the validity of assumptions used in the calculations.

Techniques on improved manure management

• Manure is a valuable, but underutilized resource in East African dairy farming systems, causing in many cases pollution of surface and underground water resources, due to lack of (proper) storage and application techniques. Improved manure use is a key component in advancing climate smart dairy farming and is also of economic importance given the rise of cost of fertilizer.
• Although general guidelines have been developed for improved manure use (weblink Teenstra c.s. report) there is great lack of information on concrete practical affordable and profitable techniques for the East African situation.
• An innovation team in Kenya and in the Netherlands has been formed, these teams will work together in designing a set of technological options, with the intention that the most promising be tested in a number of farms in Kenya. The students participate in the meetings of the innovation teams, do desk research, interview experts, and assess various options. They will, under the guidance of their supervisors, design testing protocols and implement trails of the selected options at farms in Kenya.

Qualifications

• The student interns should preferably have relevant training at a Master Degree Level or Bachelor degree coupled with some technical training and a practical background in dairy farming, with a keen interest in farm economics and smart technologies and ability to work as a team.