First visit to the FLOWERED local partners in Kenya and Tanzania, October 2016

From 25th of October and 6th of November 2016, the first visit to two of the three African partners of the Flowered project has taken place. The aim of the visit was:

• Meet the staff of the local partner involved in the project;
• Present the project to the local stakeholders involved in the project;
• Share and discuss the selection of the study area
• Local partner of Eldoret University (UOE) was met and the presentation of the project to teachers and both master and PhD student of the UOE was made.

Field visit was conducted where Interview to local people about the perception of fluoride at Nakuru Area (Kenya) was made. A local farmer has been interviewed with reference to the agronomic techniques employed and the management of irrigation (realized with volume of 100 L/plant once a week).

Partners from University of Cagliari – Italy and University of Aberystwyth – UK, and UB was present. The activities cover WP1, WP2, WP3 and WP5.

The first day of the mission in Tanzania was devoted to an informal meeting at the Nelson Mandela University - NMU (local partner) managed by the local Coordinator Dr. Revocatus Machunda. In addition, also a delegate of Oikos East Africa - OEA (local partner) was present. The meeting was focused on:

• Analysis of the data so far collected and acquisition proposals of new maps and databases;
• Plan for the study area visits
• During the field visit, geological observations were realized. In correspondence of the cattle trough, were performed chemical-physical measurements and was collected a water sample for additional laboratory measurements at NMU. In addition, interview to local people about the perception of fluoride contamination and the related health problems were carried out.