This summer, Greenwich senior and FFA officer Lauren Chuhta has been interning at the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, Kenya. Working from home, she is completing research on the efficacy of communication methods used by the Push-Pull Program, a project of ICIPE focused on developing and disseminating an intercropping technology. This intercropping system is proven to drastically increase yields and income for smallholder farmers, providing them a means to ensure food security, pay school fees, and advance their agribusinesses, ultimately escaping poverty. By analyzing the effectiveness of different outreach methods, Lauren aims to increase their efficiency and availability, providing more farmers with the information they need to realize these benefits.
Lauren has been spending her mornings on Zoom calls with her mentors in Kenya and local Kenyan farmers. She has been interviewing smallholder farmers from the Lake Victoria region and will later compile her data into a research paper for ICIPE and to present at the 2021 Global Youth Institute of the World Food Prize this October. Additionally, through her internship program, she was able to virtually attend the Presummit of the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit in early August where she was able to listen to global leaders discuss sustainability goals and the actions needed to meet them. She intends to virtually attend the full Summit in early September.