infonet-biovision.org is a web-based information tool offering trainers, extension workers and farmers mainly in Africa a quick access to up-to-date and locally relevant information in order to optimise their livelihoods in a safe, effective, and ecologically sound way.

The information presented is specifically relevant for the african continent and its inhabitants, many examples and case studies are from Kenya or East African countries, but can be useful for other tropical countries as well. The topics presented on infonet like crop managment, diseases, pests and environmenally sound technologies are focused on the ecology and the species that are prevalent in East Africa.

• Information on major crops, vegetables and fruits prevalent in East Africa, including crop husbandry, soil and water management, cultural methods and organic pest management, with illustrated descriptions for quick and accurate identification of crop pests and diseases.


• Information on major main pests, diseases, weeds and natural enemies common in East Africa; common names in different languages, regional distribution maps and lots of images and illustrations for easy identification


• Many more information on medicinal plants, fruit preservation and cultural methods, soil, water and land management, animal husbandry etc...


• Publications and database of TOF Organic Farmer Magazine (Search by keywords or issue, audio and text versions)


• Over 1300 images allowing easy identification of majour pests, diseases and illustrations of methods promoted.

Just click on the area you are interested in on the left side....

The information-platform will continue to be enhanced and the quality of the data maintained. Coming soon:

• Phone number/ hotline of experts in different areas provided (2009)
• In the near future a feedback function for integration and exchange with experts and extension services will be implemented and there will be a pilot-trial on inbuilt option for sending text to voice messages from website to mobile phones
• Reference addresses of local products/trade/providers/suppliers will be included

We're always interested in receiving comments on the information-platform and new data; please contact us here

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTD)-United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has released a report on "Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa" that concludes a transition to organic farming offers the best path to securing food stability in Africa. London's The Independent reports that farmers who have already made the shift to organic agriculture are seeing yields increase as much as 128%. The farm land also benefits from healthier top soil that allows plants to set deeper roots which, in turn, guarantees greater resilience in conditions of extreme drought. The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) reports the benefits to organic agriculture "were linked to enhancement of five capital assets critical in promoting food security - natural, social, human, physical, and financial. Multiple studies have shown that yields remain stable, and often rise after conversion to organic agriculture," an outcome that "challenges the popular myth that organic agriculture cannot increase agricultural productivity." Moreover, OCA states, "organic agriculture is making important, positive contributions to farm incomes and rural economic activity. These benefits could be enhanced, according to the report, by adoption of more supportive policies and development strategies."

Download "Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa" (1.13Mb pdf)

A team from BioVision Foundation visited Kiangwachi on 5th April 2008. It is now the rainy season and the farmers were busy, but they quickly and graciously organized a meeting. The BioVision team commented that the location of Kiangwachi is good, being right on the road, with lots of farmers passing. The room chosen to house the computers had only a weak signal on the Celtel network. However, since then, Vesel project member Souleymane Camara has managed to get the Internet connection working properly. BioVision brought a new version of their database, and explained its benefits. There seems to be much demand for organic crops and methods. When they realised the quantity and quality of the information, more people began coming to the meeting. They could see a clear chain of information going from searching to printing. An older man was particularly interested in the computer, looking inside. He enthusiastically grabbed and used the laptop. He (as most people) particularly liked printouts to take away. Its database now complete, BioVision is pursuing is an awareness campaign. Radio may be useful in this regard, and in fact The Organic Farmer newsletter, which is linked to Biovision, is setting up a form of radio content delivery.

Monique Hunziker, Project Leader of infonet-Biovision with farmers at Kiangwachi

Farmers like the idea of keywords, but do not search, since they don't really understand the concept of the Internet and where information is going. They are more comfortable with SMS. In their use of the BioVision database, the farmers are guided mostly by images, and for this reason BioVision has implemented a rollover function so that information pops up when a user moves the cursor over a photo.