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N National A Agriculture & L Livestock E Extension P Programme 7/16/2015 Organisation of farming communities as water producers in the Tana Basin Isaac J. W. Mulagoli Programme Co-ordinator 7/16/2015 Introduction The Tana basin is characterised by – high population density in upper Tana; – high but recently erratic rains in upper Tana; – increasing subdivision of farms; – intensive farming associated with decline in soil fertility; – at least 70% of the basin lying in ASALs. 7/16/2015 • ASAL conditions towards the Tana delta • Extreme pressure for natural resources to provide food and electricity – This paper analyses issues related to the management of soil and water resources and organisational development of farming communities in the Tana Basin to mitigate land degradation effects.. 7/16/2015 Problem Analysis Soil Fertility decline: BBS findings • Soil erosion: intensive run-off • Loss of nutrients without matched replenishment • No fallowing: intensive and continuous cultivation • High cost of fertilizer and animal feeds • Limited use of organic soil amendments • High poverty levels poor land husbandry Result: Low soil productivity 7/16/2015 High population pressure • High population density and growth in the Upper Tana basin • Land subdivision: land per capita dwindling every day • Intensive agriculture • Result: decline in soil fertility and productivity. 7/16/2015 Land degradation • Soil loss: topography and rainfall in upper Tana • Apathy in maintenance of physical soil and water conservation structures • Wide network of road infrastructure with improper road drainage - blocked culverts. • Increase in the number and magnitude of gullies • Increased pollution of watercourses, water reservoirs 7/16/2015 • Result: rapid dam siltation and power shortages NALEP: Background information • NALEP is successor of NSWCP • NSWCP: NRM with emphasis on land husbandry • NSWCP reached 1.5 million farmers in 25 years • Rural afforestation: promoted woodlots and fruit trees • NSWCP originated PRA as a community mobilisation tool (catchment approach) • Need to upscale good lessons of NSWCP: the birth of NALEP in July 2000. 7/16/2015 • NALEP modified the catchment model into the FAA • Multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach to solving complex problems • NALEP introduced Broad Based Surveys (BBS) • BBS embraces participatory methodologies • Its PAPOLD targets the resource poor and the vulnerable: – opportunities flagged out that match their resource endowment • July 2000 - December 2005, NALEP implemented NAEP • Now implements NASEP as a component of NASEP-IF • 3450 extension staff from MoA and MLFD 7/16/2015 7/16/2015 NALEP objectives Programme Goal: • The contribution of agriculture and livestock to social and economic development and poverty alleviation enhanced Purpose • Pluralistic, efficient, effective and demand-driven extension services are promoted and functional. Long-term purpose • To increase effectiveness of integrated extension services to farmers, pastoralists and fisherfolk. 7/16/2015 NALEP output areas Institutional setting • Create and support local structures for proper coordination of pluralistic extension services • Build capacity of extension staff, farmers, pastoralists and fisherfolk for effective and efficient extension. Extension approaches • Adapt and adopt extension approaches to suit local conditions: staff availability, socio-cultural aspects, available collaborators. Technical packages • Content and choice of extension messages – NALEP provides extension packages that include value addition and market support information 7/16/2015 Collaboration and Networking • Principles of participation, collaboration and partnerships – Stakeholder Fora (SHF) concept – Focal Area (FA) concept – Common Interest Group (CIG) concept – Extension Group (EG) concept – Broad Based Surveys (BBS): PAPOLD Gender and socio-economic issues • Mainstreaming Gender equality, Advocacy, Rights and Governance, HIV/AIDS, Alcohol and Drug and other Substances Abuse and the Environment 7/16/2015 Focal Area Approach (FAA) • NALEP employs BBS to mobilise farming communities in putting their problems into context and seek solutions • BBS embraces participatory methodologies e.g. RRA, PRA FPR, wealth ranking, PTD, AEA and gender analysis • FAA promotes the concentration of resources and efforts in one location of 2000 – 6000 clients for 3 years • DivSHF identifies the Focal Area to be covered • DivSHF does community mobilisation using BBS 7/16/2015 • Problem is put into context in 3 perspectives Ecological perspective Economic perspective Social perspective • Baseline data, information and knowledge are established • Community Action Plan (CAP) is developed • FADC: men, women (30%) and youth are elected • FADC spearheads implementation of the CAP • FADC links up with local development agencies 7/16/2015 • NALEP promotes opportunities based on CAP to form CIGs • CIGs become entry points for interventions. • CIGs are enterprise based formed on commercial lines. • SMS ensure that CIGs are empowered to self-sustainability in sourcing for information and other resources. • CIGs may not form for services cutting across enterprises • For such service, Extension groups are formed and capacitated to offer services to CIGs and individuals • Environmental conservation falls under Extension group • In soil and water conservation, commercial activities have resulted in strong commercial groups akin to CIGs e.g. tree seedling production and composting. 7/16/2015 7/16/2015 Extension group nursery in Machakos which assists in production of seedlings for reforestation of landscapes Organizing farmers for SWC mitigation • The BBS is carried out as described and SWC is well catered for by supporting the following (upper Tana): – SWC as a package with benefits of a well conserved farm – soil fertility improvement – soil erosion control through physical structures – prudent water management 7/16/2015 – Agroforestry to mitigate fuel wood shortage. In the semi-arid lower Tana Basin, the interventions include: – Soil water conservation (soil cover to reduce evaporation and increase infiltration) – Water harvesting for livestock, crop and domestic use • • • • • Roof catchment Rock catchment Road run-off (trenches and water pans) Bore holes/shallow wells Irrigation and drainage (dam construction). • SWC is a mandatory extension package for all staff • SWC activities such as tree seedling production and compost manure are promoted with the ultimate formation of income generating CIGs. 7/16/2015 Extraction of water from shallow wells after reforestation of the landscapes 7/16/2015 FAA allows for individual targeting • Resource poor farmers and the vulnerable • Progressive farmers • Opinion leaders • Individual group members demanding for FSAP 7/16/2015 During individual farm visits, farmers are encouraged to constantly maintain their SWC structures to prevent soil erosion and conserve soil water 7/16/2015 The case for farmers in the Green Water Credit Scheme • Poverty alleviation is an element in the overall goal for NALEP. • Communities in the upper Tana Basin are already mobilised • Communities in the lower Tana Basin are now on board • Soil and water conservation measures enumerated for the Tana Basin will ensure sustainable availability of green water • The interventions, largely, require external inputs. • Communities in the upper Tana need incentives to adopt them. • They require funds to invest in the recommended practices • They require financial services for proper management of funds 7/16/2015 How NALEP addresses water credit issues • SHF concept is the entry point for financial institutions to offer credit to groups and individuals for – tree nursery establishment and management – Water tanks for roof catchment – Construction of water pans – Soil and water conservation structures such as terraces, CODs, artificial water ways, tree planting 7/16/2015 Harvesting of water from the road and using the water for agricultural production by a member of the Common interest group. This also encourages soil water infiltration along the trench where bananas are planted 7/16/2015 • RFI is under pilot through the DSHF to assist resource poor groups to invest in activities that generate income while increasing green cover • The creation of CIGs offer communities with alternative sources of income, reducing pressure on exploitation of natural resources • Extension groups dealing with energy saving stoves have a profound impact on the utilization of energy at household levels. The cumulative saving on fuelwood will leave the Tana Basin evergreen. 7/16/2015 Conclusion • NALEP continues to expand and consolidate its gains in the Tana basin through provision of appropriate technologies and extension messages to benefit the more than 6 million inhabitants of the Tana River Basin. • It initiates and catalyze the formation of local level institutions (CIGs, EGs, FADCs and SHFs) to be entry points for service providers in credit and SWC technologies. 7/16/2015 Thanks for your keen ears 7/16/2015