Promoting adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture technologies

By Bob Aston

The effects of climate change is posing a great challenge to the production of food in Kenya. Smallholder farmers risk being overwhelmed by the pace and severity of climate change yet they are the mainstay of food production in the Country. To ensure a food secure future, farmers must adopt Climate Smart Agriculture.

Organizations like the Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) have been promoting the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture with an aim of strengthening communities’ resilience to impacts of climate change while conserving natural resources and also serving as an income generating venture for the farmers.

ALIN has strategically focused its efforts to improve the livelihoods of arid lands communities in East Africa through delivery of practical information using modern technologies with emphasis on climate change adaptation.

The International Non-governmental organization (NGO) operating in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania has been working with other partners to improve access to good quality information and knowledge on climate change adaptation practices using publications like Joto Afrika. The organization has also been producing documentaries on climate change adaptation as well as publishing and disseminating articles on climate change adaptation.

ALIN in partnership with Act Change Transform (Act!), with financial support from Department for International Development (DFID) and Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA) has also implemented a climate smart agriculture project in Baringo, Laikipia and Kajiado counties.

This enabled ALIN to support Matwiku Horticulture Growers Self-help group in Githiga Ward in Laikipia West Sub County, Nolororo Women Group in Ilchamus Ward in Marigat Sub County and Emaiyawata Women Group in Magadi Ward in Kajiado County.

The foundation of the project was mobilization of the three groups to plant horticulture in at least an acre piece of land. Each group has installed a solar powered drip irrigating system and invested in appropriate water harvesting technology.

The three groups have been capacity built on installation of drip irrigation and management of the system. They have also been taught about water harvesting and storage, plant protection, harvesting, value addition and marketing, agroforestry, soil fertility improvement using manure, solar water pumping and integrated pest and disease management. They are now using drip irrigation technology to produce nutritious food.

The groups have realized drastic reduction in use of fuel for pumping water thus decrease of emissions has been experienced and less time spent irrigating the farm. Consequently this has helped to mitigate the effects of climate change as well as increasing food production.

They have also come to appreciate the various opportunities in food production using minimal water resources and appropriate technologies as an adaptation strategy to climate change.

To ensure that the technology reaches more farmers, field days are organized at each site to train communities on food production using appropriate and innovative climate smart Agriculture technologies.

During the field days, county leaders and policy makers are invited to learn and encouraged to develop policies that can strengthen small-scale farmers to produce more food. The county leaders are encouraged to plan with communities and allocate budget and replicate the Climate Smart Agriculture project.

Farmers planting

To sustain the project each group has started a revolving fund from the profit made each season to enable group members to reinvest and expand their farm while enhancing each member to access climate smart agriculture technology for food production at family level.

The drip irrigation system makes it cheaper and easier for farmers to grow crops throughout the year without feeling the burden of climate change. Other benefits of the system include: reduced work load in the farm; conservation of water resources; minimal soil erosion; ability to use liquid manures; uniformity in crops grown; energy conservation and reduction of emissions since less fuel is used; reduction of leaching and nutrients loss; and fewer weeds.

Climate smart agriculture involves using technologies that can assist farmers in transitioning from traditional farming strategies to new climate-aware ones. These technologies focus on improved water management through water harvesting and use of drip irrigation, soil and water conservation measures, mulching, intercropping, introduction of drought tolerant crops and practicing agroforestry among others.

According to Food and Agriculture Organization, climate smart agriculture consists of three main pillars: sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes (food security); adapting and building resilience to climate change (adaptation); and reducing and/or removing greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation), where possible.

Connecting the unconnected through Ng’arua Maarifa Centre

By Bob Aston

Recognizing access to information as a basic human right, Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) has been innovatively using community-based Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities to enable some of the most remote communities to access information.

ALIN has strategically focused its efforts to improve the livelihoods of arid lands communities in East Africa through delivery of practical information using modern technologies with emphasis on agricultural practices and climate change adaptation through Ng’arua Maarifa Centre.

Ng’arua Maarifa Centre located in Ol-Moran ward of Laikipia West Sub County has been facilitating learning and skills transfer among communities embracing a culture of knowledge sharing that has enabled individuals to make informed decision on their livelihood.

The Centre is equipped with computers with internet connectivity and contain information and knowledge products focused on small-scale sustainable agriculture, climate change, sustainable land management (SLM), markets and natural resources management (NRM).

The Maarifa Centre has been offering free services that include: Library services; E-government services; multimedia content; internet access; citizen journalism training; ICT training; advisory services; publications like Joto Afrika, Baobab and Laikipia Mali Asili; and Sokopepe.

The Maarifa Centre has also hosted a NRM and SLM knowledge sharing Mazingira Centre. The Centre has been instrumental in sharing knowledge with farmers through organizing open learning days, exchange visits, video documentations and articles aimed at farmers and pastoralists.

With the recent government regulation on enabling access of government services on digital platforms, the Maarifa center has become vital in allowing close to 8,000 community members access e-Government services that include: downloading Personal Information Numbers; pay slips; making online tax returns; online registration of exams; online job application; and County development plans.

ALIN realized that many rural communities lack the skills to tap into the potential ICT field hence it has focused in the development of ICT resources at the Maarifa Centre. This is aimed at empowering people to use technology to promote community development and bring services such as skills development, e-commerce and e-learning closer to the people.

The uniqueness of Maarifa centers has led to winning of various prestigious awards notable the 2011, Access to Learning Award by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Maarifa Centre through its blog Laikipia Rural Voices also won the Youth in Agriculture Blog Competition (YoBloco Awards) in 2014.

In developing people’s skills and creating ICT opportunities, ALIN ensures that people are put before technology and research and deploy ICTs that blend with traditional information systems.  This strategy is informed by the following factors; communities in arid areas lack the means to access and to share transformative knowledge, they do not have adequate skills and competencies to access needed knowledge and there is lack of knowledge exchange nodes in arid lands of East Africa.

Communities have been provided with a chance to improve their farming techniques and technologies through full access of information and assistance at the Maarifa Centre, something they were not privileged to access before.

Seven Billion dreams. One planet. Consume with care

By Bob Aston

The World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated every year on 5th June to raise the global awareness about the importance of the healthy and green environment in the human lives, to solve environmental issues by implementing some positive environmental actions as well as to protect nature. It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The WED theme this year is "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care." The theme is emphasizing the need to embrace sustainable exploitation of resources and live within the planet’s resources. It also underscores the importance of the environment as a common good that provides livelihood to all mankind.

Pupils of Kio Primary in Laikipia West plant trees during a past WED celebration

The well-being of humanity, the environment, and the functioning of the economy, ultimately depend upon the responsible management of the planet’s natural resources. Evidence is building that people are consuming far more natural resources than what the planet can sustainably provide.

WED celebration began in 1972. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.

WED is an opportunity for everyone to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents of change. Although individual decisions may seem small in the face of global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces in common purpose they can make a tremendous difference.

According to Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Executive, with the global population forecast to reach 9 billion by mid-century, demands on the depleted resources will only compound, exacerbated by increasing pollution, conflicts over resources, and the effects of an atmosphere being rapidly heated by human greenhouse gas emissions.

Pupils make balls by recycling plastic bags

Consuming with care means living within planetary boundaries to ensure a healthy future where our dreams can be realized. Human prosperity need not cost the earth. Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less. It is about knowing that rising rates of natural resource use and the environmental impacts that occur are not a necessary by-product of economic growth.

Many of the Earth’s ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and economic development. Focusing on forest management, reducing greenhouse effects, promoting bio-fuels production, promoting coral reefs and mangroves restoration, use of solar water heaters, energy production through solar sources as well as developing new drainage systems are some of the ways of ensuring green and healthy environment.

In Kenya, Narok Town in Narok County has been selected as venue for the national WED 2015 event. The area is home to important ecosystems including the Maasai Mara Reserve, Maasai Mau forest block as well as the Mara River which is the life line of the region. These ecosystems are under constant threat from human encroachment and can be depleted if there are no concerted efforts to conserve the same.

Kajiado County gender and energy forum a success

By Noah Lusaka

The Kajiado County stakeholder’s forum on Gender and Energy was successfully held on 28th May 2015 at the ACK hall in Kajiado town. The forum that was convened by ENERGIA Kenya Network through Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) and practical Action (PA) was cordially graced by the County Executive Committee member for health Ms. Glady's Marima and the chief officer in charge of roads transport and Energy.

The county officials encouraged civil society and the private sector to continue supporting communities with innovative energy solutions. 'This is a very important forum to enhance coordination of gender and energy activities in Kajiado given that its women and children who really suffer fetching for wood fuel and cooking in smoky kitchens' remarked Ms. Marima.

In attendance were 35 stakeholders drawn from within the Kajiado county government, civil society, private companies, community based groups. The forum offered a platform for stakeholders to discuss gender and energy issues affecting Kajiado citizens and to develop a roadmap for future Gender and Energy activities for inclusion in the County CIDP.

Some of the participants posing for a photo

Among the stakeholders were Mr. John Sironik of Kiserian slaughter house who indicated their firm is at advanced stage in commercializing packaged biogas for cooking. He requested the county to subsidize the gas for communities to access at a lower cost of kshs. 300/= per cylinder of 6kgs.

Anika Jane of Green Energy Africa ltd demonstrated a simple and affordable solar energy option for multipurpose uses at family level. The stakeholders proposed innovative ideas in addressing gender and energy issues within the county focusing on the five sectors of Education and health, urban development, agriculture and water resources.

Madam Esther Shena who is the Gender Manager shared progress made so far in developing a county gender policy. The participants also shared experiences on gender and household energy access and got to understand the global initiatives on SEALL and implications on County energy plans.

Village aggregation Centre in Sipili to reduce post-harvest losses

By Bob Aston

The Laikipia Produce and Marketing Co-operative Society is in the process of receiving village aggregation Centre certification from the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC). The certification is part of the support provided by EAGC towards ensuring that the cooperative succeeds as a Grain Business Hub (GBH) which is being supported by SNV- Netherlands Development Organization.

A GBH is a business characterized by amalgamation of supportive businesses/services linked to grain business that enables an organization to trade in grains efficiently, effectively and sustainably; and ensures grain suppliers (farmers) access goods and services through check-off system.

It functions as a collective of supportive businesses and services that help the production activities of member farmers. It does this through managing the collection, distribution, and marketing of food products, mainly grains, from farmers and, also, other non-members.

Speaking while touring the cooperative store on May 4, 2015, Mr. Fred Simon Otieno, Program Officer, EAGC Structured Trading Systems noted that the GBH has brought together different partners in the grain value chain.

Maize being sun dried

He said that they are currently on a profiling and ranking exercise to help determine the marketing potential of the cooperative and identify gaps that can be supported by the different development partners engaged with the cooperative. He said that EAGC will train the cooperative on Warehouse Receipting System (WRS), post-harvest handling and value addition of grains.

The certified village aggregation Centre will work under the GBH. It will enable the cooperative to buy cereals in bulk from members and then distribute and sell them to schools and other structured markets.

“As a certified village aggregation Centre the cooperative will be able to store grains to a standard required by most structured markets,” said Mr. Otieno.

The Procurement Governance for Home Grown School Feeding (PG-HGSF) which SNV has been implementing has been developing and expanding the GBH model, an initiative that further strengthens the linkages and capacities smallholder farmers have to school feeding.

 “EAGC has been supporting grain aggregation, information sharing and market linkages. We will support the cooperative as a grain business hub as we have seen that you have a huge potential,” said Mr. Otieno.

He urged the cooperative to safeguard their assets through insurance and also to ensure that basic post-harvest handling equipment’s are procured.

EAGC is a membership organization of the grain stakeholders in Eastern Africa. The stakeholders represent the three main sectors of the grain value chain including traders, farmers and processors.

The Laikipia Produce and Marketing cooperative society emerged from the work undertaken by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) through Ng’arua Maarifa Centre with the support of the Ford Foundation’s Expanding Livelihoods for Poor Households Initiative (ELOPHI). It is a vehicle for bulking, marketing and trading in farm commodities and other products and services.

Ng’arua Maarifa proving vital to students reviewing courses

By Moses Ndung’u

The 2014 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates started an online course revision of degree and diploma programmes for the 2015/2016 placement on April 20, 2015 in an exercise that will end on May 4, 2015.

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has it that all applicants will have to submit their applications online. This is in the digitization trend undertaken by the government that is set and armed to steer the country towards a fully digitized patch of the globe.

Now, for those aspiring to join the institution of higher learning, either on a regular-government sponsorship- or on a parallel basis, the work load towards achieving their dreams has been brought at a de-marginalizing distance, no intimidation no fear of the large bureaucratic arm, only the student and the KUCCPS body.

Students accessing internet at Ng'arua Maarifa Centre

Thought this is a good turn of events, most students who qualify will have to delve deep into their pockets to try to make out the money required for the application fee and also online fee paid at cyber café.

“Though KUCCPS are charging ksh 1500 the cyber people have found a gold mine by charging us a shilling per minute to access internet. This is difficult for some of us who have to spend as much as three days for a comprehensive revision,” said Nderitu Mwangi, a successful student aspiring to join the campus.

Fortunately, the presence of Ng’arua Maarifa Center in Sipili has helped many students to access online services at no cost at all.

“I have been at the Maarifa Centre almost the whole week. I am glad that it has been possible to access internet free of charge at the Maarifa. Ng’arua Maarifa Center is a blessing to us and words can’t say how much we appreciate,” said Mwangi.

According to Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi, 61,000 candidates will have the coveted opportunity of pursuing their higher education through the government sponsored regular programs. The cut-off for male students was fixed at a grade B of 60 points and a B- of 58 points for female students.

In addition all KCSE candidates with a minimum overall grade of C- (Minus) and above and who have not benefited from government sponsorship in the past will be eligible to apply for Diploma courses.

Laikipia Cooperative takes stock of its activities during AGM

By Moses Ndung’u

The Laikipia Produce and Marketing co-operative society on April 28, 2015 held its third annual general meeting (AGM) at Sipili Catholic Church Hall, Ol-Moran Ward in Laikipia West Sub County. The AGM which was supported by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) was also attended by Kilimo Biashara Profilers (KBP), cooperative officer and auditor.

The AGM provided members with an opportunity to discuss issues that included: minutes of previous AGM; cooperative elections; audited financial reports for 2013 and 2014; cooperative progress report.

Mr. Waweru Kanja, Chairman Laikipia Produce and Marketing Cooperative Society noted that as a result of engagement with other partners like ALIN, SNV, Eastern African Grain Council (EAGC), MEA Ltd, Kilimo Biashara Profilers, Kenya Seed Company Ltd and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock the cooperative has been able to reach out to its members with a variety of services and also has increased its membership, sales and community good will.

Some of the cooperative members during the AGM

“We intend to bring services closer to the people of Laikipia West Sub County. We will start by bringing agencies of various financial institutions to the doorstep of the wananchi by offering the services at a reasonable cost. It is time we developed our status, let us join hands and improve the living standards of smallholder farmers,” said Mr. Kanja.

According to the auditor, Mr. Karani, the cooperative has shown an excellent performance over a short time and could operate and expand comfortably within the next twelve months. He also advised on the need to plough back profits into the cooperative for the benefit of the members.

The Laikipia Produce and Marketing cooperative society has shown commendable performance and goal realization. On June 2013 when the cooperative was registered, membership was a bit low but within a period of one year the membership has grown to three hundred and eleven (311).

At the meeting, the realization of several objectives of the cooperative over a short span was outlined. This included a total summarized outcome surplus-profit-of Ksh 128,000 during the last fiscal year.

Mr. Anthony Githuku from the Department of Cooperative in Laikipia County commended the cooperative for ensuring farmers particularly from Sipili are able to access certified seeds and fertilizer at reasonable prices. He urged the cooperative to continue adhering to the cooperative principles in order to succeed.

As for elections, the member re-elected all the nine (9) members of the management committee. A new supervisory committee composed of three members was also set up to act as a watchdog.

The Laikipia Produce and Marketing cooperative society emerged from the work undertaken by ALIN through Ng’arua Maarifa Centre with the support of the Ford Foundation’s Expanding Livelihoods for Poor Households Initiative (ELOPHI). It is a vehicle for bulking, marketing and trading in farm commodities and other products and services.

CBA9 courting the needs of the vulnerable through Climate Change Adaptation

By Milcah Rajula and Bob Aston

The 9th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation (CBA9): Measuring and enhancing effective adaptation which took place at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya in April 27th- 30th, 2015 called on world leaders to address the needs of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people in this year’s key environment and development summits.

With the convergence of more than 400 participants drawn from diverse professional sectors globally: governments, civil society, scientific community, international and non- governmental organizations, they came together to discuss and share best practices on how to measure and enhance effective adaptation to climate variability and change for the poorest and most vulnerable communities.

The core participation and hosting of the event was done in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) and African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS).

Photo by Cgiarclimate_EA

The conference included a myriad of activities: high-level speaker panels; twenty four sessions; Participatory analysis of films; fun adaptation finance night; learning through games; interactive workshops. Pre-conference field trips had also been pre-organized to allow delegates to explore at first-hand issues related to CBA.

The CBA9 conference ended with lessons learned and the Nairobi Declaration being presented. The declaration stated the importance of addressing the needs and interests of the poorest and most vulnerable in international agreements on sustainable development, development finance and climate change.

CBA9 noted that it is the responsibility of developed countries to support the adaptation efforts of poor and vulnerable groups. To this end, there is need for governments to promote approaches to climate change adaptation that build the capacity of local actors. The engagement of vulnerable groups should be included in the process of developing goals, strategies for implementation, indicators and evaluative frameworks for adaptation.

CBA9 also reiterated the importance of securing additional, adequate and transparent adaptation financing, especially for community-level adaptation efforts. Global agreements should make an effort in increasing and accelerating finance for adaptation in poor and vulnerable communities and establish transparent mechanisms for monitoring adaptation finance.

Governments should prioritize the needs and interests of the poorest and most vulnerable in their national adaptation planning processes and provide clear, timely and accurate reporting on the extent to which adaptation finance reaches vulnerable groups.

Fatuma Hussein, Board member addressing participants. Photo by Adaptation Fund

World leaders will meet this year to draft agreements on Sustainable Development Goals, Financing for Development and Climate Change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

CBA9 urged leaders to ensure that these agreements reflect the needs, feasibility and interests of the poorest and most vulnerable. Local, regional and national governments will need to incorporate the principles of inclusiveness, community leadership and environmental sustainability into their entire plans hence effective climate change adaptation vis à vis long term financial commitment and accountability.  

IIED and partners: BCAS, created the CBA conferences to highlight that effective adaptation to climate change starts with the local actors being at the community level. Past CBA conferences have focused on scaling up best practices, ensuring a scientific basis to action, communicating and mainstreaming CBA and ensuring adaptation funding trickles to community level.

After the many days of engrossing deliberations and participatory sessions, the conference ended on a good note with set resolutions being that the national and local actors have to play a major roles in ensuring that the different targets are active participators: private sector to engage in co-investment mechanisms; the youth; poor and vulnerable; and community levels being engaged fully for maximum climate adaptation outcomes.

CBA10 shall be held in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, next year.

Visit International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

FARMIS Agricultural Production Report Launched

By Anthony Mugo and Milcah Rajula

The Inaugural Agricultural Production report for five sub-counties in Meru, produced using data from FARMIS was launched on April 14, 2015 at a colourful and promising event at the Meru Slopes Hotel. The launch was officiated by the County Director of Agriculture, Mrs. Dionisia M’Eruaki. Also present was the Land O’ Lakes FARMIS Portfolio Manager, Ms. Pauline Mugendi together with Sokopepe staff, led by Director, James Nguo as well as most production information agents (PIAs).

Mrs. M’Eruaki welcomed the work being undertaken by Sokopepe through the innovation known as Farm Records Management Information System (FARMIS). The initiative is aimed at supporting small scale farmers, who rarely keep records, to develop and nurture a culture of record keeping.

Robert Kintu,Managing Director, FIT Uganda addressing participants

Sokopepe is a social enterprise that has been set up by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), an NGO that works with farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Under the FARMIS initiative, each farmer invests in a Farm Book which captures information about the name of the farmer, the location of the farm (including GPS coordinates and picture), the size and key farming assets and tools owned by the farmer.  This enables the system to createa complete profile of the farmer.

During the growing season, the farmer records all aspects of the crop production cycle namely: land preparation; treatment and weed control; harvesting; post-harvest activities; and marketing. The amount of money spent at each stage is recorded. The same information is captured in digital form through a smart phone or computer and posted to a central secure server maintained by Sokopepe.

So far more than 6,000 farmers’ profiles have been captured. The piloting of the FARMIS innovation is being done in five selected sub-counties in Meru namely: Imenti Central; North Imenti; South Imenti; Buuri and Tigania West.

Following a systematic analysis of the data on farmer profiles, agriculture stakeholders such as the County and central government; agro-input providers; providers of agriculture credit and development partners can get an accurate perspective of the status of agriculture in the sub-counties targeted at any given time.

All smiles after the launch of the FARMIS Agricultural Production Report. They are from left (front row): Robert Kintu, Managing Director, FIT Uganda; Roseline Ngusa, Director Sokopepe; Pauline Mugendi, Agricultural Specialist, Land O’ Lakes/KFIE; Mrs. Dionisia M’Eruaki, Meru County Director of Agriculture; James Nguo, Director, Sokopepe and Anthony Mugo, Deployment Coordinator, Sokopepe. Back row (from left): Martin Murangiri, Training and Recruitment Manager Sokopepe and Susan Gitonga, KFIE Field Officer, Meru. Picture by Dennis Mutwiri.

Funding support for the work has been provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)through Land O’ Lakes/Kenya Feed the Future Innovation Engine.

While talking about her experience in keeping farm records under the FARMIS initiative, Hilda Kinoti, a farmer in Imenti North, said: “Although I have always grown crops and raised livestock on my farm, I have never kept records on maize, potatoes or bananas. With FARMIS, I am now able to tell if growing these crops is profitable because the record enables me to compare the cost of inputsversus the money I get when I sell the harvest.”

With the completion of the pilot period for the Project, Sokopepe desires to expand the service in all sub-counties in Meru, while working closely with the County Government and other stakeholders.

“Having seen the value added by having accurate primary data directly from farmers, we believe such data can inform many aspects of planning that can empower small scale farmers to improve their incomes, livelihoods and food security,” said Anthony Mugo, the Sokopepe Deployment Coordinator.