Promotion of Tree‐based Alternative Livelihoods while Conserving the Environment and Rehabilitating Degraded ASAL Ecosystems in Kenya (Phase II)

Abstract

KEFRI initiated collaboration with NALEP in 2008 which resulted in the signing of an MoU in June 2009. The first phase of the collaboration ended successfully and a second phase approved in 2010. A work plan and a budget for this second phase was jointly developed and approved by NALEP. The main objective of the project is to promote alternative livelihoods and environmental conservation and rehabilitation of degraded sites in Kenyan ASALS. This is being realized by demonstrating and adapting some of the key ASAL technologies developed by KEFRI which have significant potential for the promotion of alternative livelihoods and environmental conservation in the drylands of Kenya. As part of this effort, KEFRI in cooperation with NALEP established pilot sites (detailed description of the sites is provided in Annex 1) to demonstrate and validate best practices and innovations in 2009-10 in Kibwezi, Garbatula, Isiolo, Kajiado and Baringo Districts which are currently in progress. Significant progress was realized with about 15 demonstration plots being established in the 5 districts, totaling about 98.6 ha. The project continued to monitor and evaluate the performance of these demonstration plots to determine their suitability, maintenance and outputs. In 2010-11 financial year, the project established another 19.2 ha of demonstration plots in new sites at Voi, Mwatate, Makindu, Kathonzweni and Kibwezi Districts. Owing to the rainfall failure the whole year, it was not feasible to establish crops and trees in the worked pilot sites. Consequently, a major planting and re-planting is planned during the October-December 2011. As an integral part of technology development process, the project initiated various capacity building activities to enhance the capacities of service providers and beneficiaries on production, processing, primary quality control and marketing of dry land timber and non-timber products. As a result of this effort, 167 local community members were trained and 517 attended field days during the reporting period. Key among these were demonstration of processing and utilization technologies for various Prosopis products, a national Gums and Resins Stakeholders Forum and Trainings on production and processing of Melia volkensii and Aloes. Gums and resins resource assessment and mapping was also carried out in Garbatulla District. Similarly, a field study to map, and investigate the performance of existing Jatropha provenances /germplasm across different ecological zones has also been initiated and progressing well. Other activities initiated during the reporting period included strategic engagement with a leading Private Sector in developing public-private partnership for Melia volkensii value chain products. Discussions are underway on how best to implement this kind of partnership. Information generation being an integral part of the project and is expected to result in production of publications and some key policy briefs. So far a guideline on 8 Prosopis has been finalized and a draft policy brief on “Status and Intervention Measures required in managing Prosopis (Mathenge) invasions in Kenya” also produced. The project has also reviewed relevant research findings as a basis for the development of 13 livelihood briefs, 9 of which have been finalized and being edited for publication. Additionally, 2 booklets and 1 leaflet have been published, 2 technical reports, 1 Jatropha resource book and 9 training/ workshop reports are being edited for publication. The updating of KEFRI website has also been done on a quarterly basis and linkage with NAFIS database is planned. It is proposed that the gains so far made be consolidated as NALEP winds up in December 2011. KEFRI has played a key role in the development of the NALEP successor programme which is envisaged to be operationalized as from January 2011.