FAO held an agricultural experience sharing tour from Ethiopia to Kenya
Agricultural experts from Ethiopia visit counter parts in Kenya for learning exchange on climate change adaptation practices.
Addis Ababa | 21 March 2024: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) led a successful experience share tour for Ethiopian agricultural experts to Kenya, with the aim of creating exposure on best practices of the community adaptation and resilience to climate change and variability and Farmer Field School (FFS) extension approach practices.
Organized under FAO in Ethiopia’s Agricultural Climate Resilience Enhancement Initiative (ACREI), the exchange visit took place from 21 to 29 February 2024. FAO Ethiopia selected Kenya due to its successful track record in implementing FAO-supported climate adaptation projects and the similarities in farming systems and agroecological conditions between the two countries.
The visiting delegation visited FFS groups operating in Mbulia, Meraru Muungano, and Samburu/Baraka communities, as well as farms, animal feed production facilities, mechanization service providers, the Sifa FM radio station broadcasting meteorological information, a Meteorological station in Voi, Taita-Taveta County's livestock department, a water project in the Mwachwaza community, small-scale irrigation infrastructures, and other relevant sites.
The Ethiopian visiting team, consisting of nine individuals from various Ethiopian government organizations (Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopian Meteorology Institute, Oromia Region Bureau of Agriculture ) and three officers from FAO Ethiopia, explored various sites located in the Taita-Taveta and Kwale counties within the Coast Province of Kenya, where they witnessed community adaptation practices, climate-proofing of the extension system, informed decision making for optimal cropping seasons and crop varieties, livestock production and natural resources management, crop diversification practices, animal production for improved livelihoods, and enhanced resilience of communities.
The visiting delegation intends to adopt these experiences and learnings in Ethiopia. Noteworthy examples include the positive impact of IT utilization by meteorological institutes in Taita-Taveta County, which facilitated easy access to climate and weather forecast information for the targeted FFS groups disseminate as an advisory service. This successful approach can be further enhanced in Ethiopia.
Additionally, the delegation noted the potential applicability of Kenyan best practices in run-off and roof water harvesting techniques within dry areas to Ethiopia.
The mission drew lessons on adaptation practices, mitigation mechanisms for climate risks and hazards to improve livelihood and resilience; FFS groups crop diversification practices for climate smart agriculture; and the use of plot of a host farmer field for different kind of crops growing trials that include early maturing and drought tolerant crop varieties, and seasonally grown seed types. Other important lessons include practices of inter cropping and crop rotation systems, leaving residues on the field to improve and keep up the soil fertility level is consistently practiced. Application of water and soil conservation technics, mulching/dressing and leaving crop residues on the farm field which helps to maintain soil fertility and sustainability.
The delegation plans to demonstrate these practices in Ethiopia to adopt the good results exercise of the Kenyan farmers.
About the ACREI Project:
The ACREI project is a collaborative endeavor established under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC). The project receives financial support from the Adaptation Fund.
Within the framework of the ACREI project, FAO actively engages in empowering 60 Farmer Field School (FFS) groups spread across 30 local communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. The primary objective is to enhance their understanding of climate change adaptation strategies while integrating climate information seamlessly into their agricultural decision-making processes.
For further information, please contact:
Meseret Abiy
National Communications Specialist
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]
Shawel Moreda
National Consultant - HGSF
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]
Tezeta Hailemeskel
Communications Specialist a
FAO Eastern Africa
Email: [email protected]