Smallholder integrated crop-livestock system in Kaptumo, Kenya
The two main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya are enteric fermentation and manure left on pasture (FAOSTAT, 2012). Linking research activities, practical work in farmers’ fields and capacity building at different levels, the FAO Mitigation of Climate Change in Agriculture Programme (MICCA) pilot project (2011-2014) in Kenya aimed to reduce the overall greenhouse balance of the livestock production systems by improving animal breeds and their productivity in the Kaptumo Division of Nandy County.
Based on site-specific participatory and expert assessments, the project developed a portfolio of suitable practices for smallholder farmers. The practices were selected taking into account their suitability to local farming systems, crops, soils, climate and socio-economic conditions; their mitigation potential; and farmers’ perceptions and priorities. Selected practices are listed below.
CSA practices | Sub-practices/species |
|---|---|
Improved fodder production and conservation | Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass); Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass); Sorghum spp.; Medicago sativa (Lucerne/ alfalfa); Cow Kandy; Columbus Grass; Lablab purpureus (lab lab); Desmodium spp.; Bracharia spp.; Hay and silage making. |
Agroforestry and tree nursery | Chamaecytisus palmensis/ Tree Lucerne (fodder); Sesbiana sesban; Calliandra calothyrsus (fodder); Leucaena trichandra (fodder); Grevillea robusta; Croton spp.; Eucalyptus spp. |
Improved pasture management | Bush clearing; Paddocking; Spot and strip sowing with legumes |
Improved manure management | Collection of manure; Composting; Biogas digester |
The capacity-building activities were undertaken through the East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) Programme and their Dairy Farmer Business Association. Their implementation relied on an innovative and gender-sensitive farmer-to-farmer extension approach that allowed the project to train 4700 farmers (35 percent women) through the establishment of 31 farmer groups, 36 field demonstration plots, 2 biogas digesters, 68 tree nurseries, and the planting of more than 300 000 seedlings.
While the farmers as both trainees and trainers were at the core of the implementation strategy, continuous support was also provided by the project team and community extensionists based on the needs of each specific farmer group. For instance, farmer trainers received tree seedlings, high value fodder crops seeds and potting bags - adapted to their preferences and soil conditions as well as seed availability - to help them establish demonstration plots on their own farms and train fellow farmers. Finally, to ensure the sustainability and scaling up of the project’s activities, the Ministry officers in the county and division and a wider range of stakeholders were also involved.
The evaluation of the project highlighted that almost all (97 percent) of the adopters of CSA practices perceived benefits, such as increased farm income and environmental benefits. The MICCA pilot project in Kaptumo thus reiterates the relevance to shift towards the design and adoption of more integrated production systems, not only to reduce GHG emissions, but mainly to increase and diversify agricultural production, while reducing vulnerability to climate change.
Source: adapted from FAO, 2016b