All roads led to the Multipurpose Development Institute on the 18th of February as sponsors, researchers from Egerton university- Laikipia Campus, officials from the ministries of agriculture and livestock development, partners, stakeholders and farmers all came out in large numbers. Researchers in-charge of the project are Dr. Susan Kamuru, Dr. Nancy Mungai, Dr. Kariuki among others all of Egerton University, Laikipia Campus.
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| Demonstration site |
The
CAPRO Project in Kajiado County first meeting was held on 13/2/2013 through the
collaboration of the above named partners. All districts in Kajiado County
Kajiado Central, Isinya, Kajiado North, Magadi and Namanga had representatives.
It was agreed that the demonstration site be held in Isinya district and be
manned by Isinya division staff from the ministries of Agriculture and
Livestock development.
Climate
Exchange Network for Africa (CENA) is a network of researchers, policy makers
and practitioners who have been actively involved in issues of climate change
adaptation and combative measures affecting Africa. Its goal is to bring
together partners from various organizations in Africa and is funded by the
Rockefeller Foundation to implement projects on Climate Change Adaptation.
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| Types of cereals planted at the site |
This
network was created out of the recognition that many households today in Africa
are unable to adequately adapt to climate inconsistencies and the subsequent
increase of food insecurity and declining household incomes.
The
demonstration site had maize, cassava, sorghum, beans, sweet potatoes,
dolicles, sunflower, cowpeas, green grams, local vegetables, a multistory
garden and a water harvesting tank with a drip irrigation kit. On exhibition
there was also bee farming kit, samples of foods made from cereals like sorghum
and millet, animals like sheep goats, and rabbits. Besides the ministry of
agriculture and livestock, other organizations like ALIN, Coopers Limited,
Simlaw seeds, Starke Flyers seeds among others. They all showcased their goods
and services that are helping in this fight.
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| Isinya Maarifa's desk during the Open Session |
The
crops were planted on 1/11/ 2012 and for the first time on Monday, the
demonstration site was reviewed as the farmers and pastoralists were taken
through the different ways of managing and adapting to climate changes.
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| Other Partners present |
Farmers
bore witness to the fact that more than ever rainfall patterns have
increasingly kept on changing due to effects of desertification and increase in
green house gases in the atmosphere. Speakers admonished those who have refused
to take up this issue as a national disaster and encouraged farmers to put into
practice the lessons they had learnt. “If you only think that livestock is the
only way of life, then you are in for trouble. It is time we take up farming of
those crops that will withstand the changes we are experiencing. Mixed
cropping, where you have portions of different crops on one plot of land will
also ensure that at least you are able to harvest something even in cases of
rain failure and drought”, Dr. Susan advised.
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| Community members keenly listening |
“This
challenge will get worse as global warming intensifies due to increasing
concentration of greenhouse gases. To counter this challenge, a
multidisciplinary, multifaceted approach involving actors that generate and
communicate cutting edge scientific knowledge, build capacity of stakeholders
at all levels, create new and strengthen existing institutions and influence
policy development and change, is needed and that is why we are here”, Dr.
Mungai emphasized.
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