Climate Change Adaptation

Enhanced resilience among smallholder farmers towards the effects of Climate Change and thereby ensuring sustainable livelihoods in the Counties of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia.

30 Smallholder Farmer Groups (750 People); 640 Pupils/Students in 6 Schools and 2 VTCs 14 Teachers in Schools and VTCs; 24 Parents; 8 Watchmen/Security Guards in the Schools and VTCs; 72 Peace Committee Members from Mt. Elgon Sub-County

The majority of the population in the region are smallholder farmers pressured by demographic growth and soil degradation. The adaptive capacity to climate change is low due to poverty and gender inequality, high pressure on already degraded and overexploited natural resources, in particular land, as well as resulting conflicts, and high levels of unawareness about climate change. Unsustainable farming practices, soil erosion, pollution and the increasing climate variability like changing rainfall patterns and higher temperatures have resulted in land degradation. High costs of farm inputs, poor feeder roads, poor market systems and infrastructure, logging along wetland areas, poor disposals of waste, and poorly managed cooperative societies have led to low agricultural productivity. Conflict and violence remain structurally present exemplified by withholding of diminishing patronage resources such as land, water and welfare entitlements based on ethnicity or family affiliations.

• Community mobilisation and awareness rising campaign on climate change adaption through climate resilient farming addressing community members and youth
• Practical training for farmer groups and other relevant stakeholders about climate change adaptation through climate resilient farming practices, ecosystem and water conservation measures
• Networking and knowledge exchange between DECESE within the Kenyan Agro-ecology / Organic Farming Community
• Formation and sensitising of Agro-ecology clubs in primary, secondary schools and vocational centres
• Joint design and implementation of food forests and kitchen gardens as well as suitable locally available rain water harvesting and storage infrastructure and irrigation systems
• Mobilisation and sensitisation of the communities on peaceful coexistence
• Training of women and men on gender equality and issues of water and land rights