During the first day of the Science Forum, we have 2 sessions of “knowledge share fair” for scientists to present and discuss their studies in digital format and a cozy setting with morning coffee and hot buns served. When I came into the room, there were already a few people crowded in front of a “poster”. Katja Kehlenbeck works for ICRAF- Would Agroforestry Centre in their Nairobi office in Kenya, and she was telling us how their newly developed model “Fruit tree portfolios” can identify local specific fruit tree sets, which help the Kenyan farmers to reintroduce fruit trees into their farms according to seedling availability and seasons. Katja was presenting in the knowledge share fair during SF 2013 Fruit trees not only can diversify crop products and farm income during dry seasons because they have higher tolerance to heat and drought than arable crops with their deep rooting system which can tap underground water, but maybe we don’t realize the fact that fruit trees can play an important role in family nutrition, as they provide micro-nutrients, which often lack in staple based diets. “Fruit harvest calendars” ICRAF developed a “fruit harvest calendars” to help farmers to plant special fruit trees that contain certain nutrients and micro-nutrients during the “hunger gap” from March to May when other food sources are not available because of drought and food scarcity seasons before the new harvest. For example, mango tree and Jackfruit are early fruiting varieties, and they contain high value of vitamin A. If farmers can plant them in April already, diet and nutrient supply of farm households can be improved during and hunger gap. This harvest calendar also takes into account of household specific nutrient supply and demand, so that farmers can integrate exotic or native fruit trees into their farming seasons. “Natural vegetation maps ICRAF also developed “natural vegetation maps” for sub-Saharan crop species with vegetation cultivated in particular area, which also can be implemented as a tool for farmers to bring plant species into their farms and combine with domestication of fruit species to achieve higher crop and fruit yield. According to Katja, in Kenya fruit trees are planted in the household garden in the courtyard of the house where is a meeting place for people, or along indigenous plant species which are shorter and can be complementary species to fruit trees. To introduce agroforestry fruit system to Kenyan farm household is an import aspect for ICRAF’s project because with diversified plant species it is proved that plants are less susceptible to pest and disease, it also plays an important role for children’s nutritious diet because children can collect fruits in the garden. Unlike commercialized orchards or farms, children are kept away from collecting fruits because of the intensive chemical sprays. Katja addressed that it is important to raise the awareness of Kenyan farmers to provide enough nutrients for children and their family through collecting fruits all year around. Kenya’s climatic condition is very suitable for introducing fruit trees and agroforestry system because it has 2 rainy seasons per year and very fertile soil. When being asked what the challenges of dissemination of planting fruit trees in Kenya are, Katja highlighted that sometimes it’s hard to train the farmers to use the best farm practices. Most farmers have several crops or fruit trees in their farm, and they tend to use a single pesticides spray for all kinds of crop. Bridge the gap I also wonder how to bring technology and scientific innovations into community practical level, she said it is very important to involve farmers in field demonstration or trainings and document their knowledge to build trust between extensionists and farmers. ICRAF also mobilizes farmers to participate in the farmer field school and established a community based system “Rural Resource Centre” to set up a nursery and provide seedlings in the farm community. There are basic trainings starting from tree cravings, pruning trees, post- harvest management and marketing. From the step-by step and participatory approach, farmers can learn to be a producer and an entrepreneur. Meeting new and old colleagues Being her third time in the Science Forum, Katja thinks Science Forum is a great opportunity to networking, meeting new and old colleagues for current and future projects, and it’s also interesting for her to check out what other centers’ research projects are.