INITIAL SITUATION

Kajiado County is highly vulnerable to climate change. While climate hazards are common in the county with a history of devastating droughts since the 1900s, they are becoming more frequent. Irrigation used by farmers is mostly inefficient and causes high emissions due to the use of diesel generators. Switching to solar-powered irrigation systems therefore reduces greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously increases farmers’ income, food production, and resilience.

TARGET GROUP

The project directly benefits 360 households of smallholder farmers organised in three farmer groups in Kajiado West, East and North Sub County. Additionally, 30 non-state actors working on climate change and biodiversity related issues are integrated in project activities.

APPROACH AND ACTIVITIES

The IKI Small Grants project trains farmers to practice climate-smart agriculture. It mobilises three farmer groups, each growing nutritious food on one hectare of land. These three farmer groups are trained to install and manage solar-powered water pumps and drip irrigation systems. The project also trains farmers in the use of appropriate and innovative technologies for climate-smart agriculture. These include the use of drip irrigation, improving soil fertility, integrated pest and disease management, the introduction of drought-tolerant crops and the use of agroforestry. ALIN organises workshops to further build farmers’ capacity for efficient water use and sustainable water resource management. Nine field days are facilitated to improve the knowledge transfer on climate-friendly, solar-powered irrigation systems among farmers.

To promote adoption of climate smart agriculture in Kajiado County, the organisation holds 13 monthly talk shows and radio features on community radio. It further advocates for an increased budgetary allocation from Kajiado County government for climate smart agriculture. To further enhance the capacity of non-state actors to advocate and promote climate change and biodiversity issues, the project includes 14 monthly learning and consultative forums of Kajiado County government and non-state actors.

LATEST PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS AND IMPACTS

• 384 farmers (233 women) trained on climate smart agriculture
• Capacity of 38 journalists on agriculture and climate change built
• Strengthened the Kajiado Climate Smart Agriculture Multi-Stakeholder Platform
• 90 farmers and 1 school adopted solar powered drip irrigation
• 119 farmers (98 women) trained on group dynamics, gender mainstreaming, and agri-business
• 2 advocacy meetings carried out on the Kajiado County Climate Change Fund and County Water Policy
• 6 non-state actors learning and consultative forums held

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Instruction on how to link the primary drip pipe from the filter at the Ildamat Farm, Kajiado

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Agnes Mpatito and Lilian Sopilal involving in the process of installing drip irrigation system in Kajiado

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Esther Mantile ensuring that connector pipes are tightly sealed using thread seal tape before attaching them to the drip pipes

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Mrs. Ann Toyianka, chairperson of the Naanyu Dupoto group, wearing a blue shirt, together with other members during the installation of drip pipes in Oloika, Kajiado East on 16th June 2023

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Members of the Kokosho group working together to ensure the success of yellow beans planting in Keekonyokie, Kajiado West

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Mr. James Koobai, Olkiloriti Women Group Ildamat, together with the Naanyu Duopoto of Oloika Kajiado durig the exchange program field visit

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Woman taking part in preparing the land for planting capsicu

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The Kokosho women group participating in a training session on drip irrigation installation

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Women during fixing of drip pipes

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Women during the installation of drip irrigation pipes at the Oloika site, Kajiado East

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Woman planting Capsicum seedlings

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Olkiloriti Women Group Framers sorting onions into different grades for sale in the market..jpg

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Olkiloriti Women Group Framers sorting onions into different grades for sale in the market..jpg

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Farmers weighing their onion produce at the farm

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Farmer from Olkiloruti Women Group farmer showcasing the onions she harvested from the demonstration Farm in Kajiado County

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Farmers in the demonstration farm harvesting cowpeas leaves tonbe sold in the market.jpg

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Farmers in a practical trainiing session during a farmers exchange visit to share expertise in different areas of Agricultural practices.JPG

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Participants in a group discussion

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Participants in a group discussion

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Jackline contributing to the discussion by use of sign language ,on how Person with Disabilities can be intergrated in Agriculture in Kajiado County, Kenya..jpg

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Olkiloriti Women Group during a farmers Group meeting during training on group dynamics at Ildamat, Kajiado County

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women workshop

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CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

IKI Small Grants supports ALIN in their organisational capacity development through:

• Training in resource mobilisation (county, national and international funding options)
• Training in monitoring and evaluation
• Introduce results-oriented performance management system

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is a non-governmental organisation registered in Nairobi that was founded in 1987. Its mission is to improve the livelihoods of communities in East Africa through the delivery of practical and usable information using information and communication technologies. ALIN has over 20 years of experience working on sustainable development issues by providing a grass root link to policy matters in addition to empowerment activities. The organisation has championed the use of information and communication technologies to empower farmers with usable information and knowledge to improve their livelihoods.