CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ON PASTURE AND FODDER PRODUCTION IN ISIOLO COUNTY.

Kenya is among the countries in the developing world which is frequently impacted by droughts and other climate hazards. Whereas these hazards can be prevented or mitigated, in most cases the magnitude of their impacts are enormous leading to disastrous situations. Therefore, availability of early warning systems plays an essential role in; informing preparedness initiatives and hence saving livelihoods, protecting lives and critical infrastructures especially among the most vulnerable communities in the ASALs area like Isiolo County.

To Enhancing food and nutritional security of vulnerable households, especially marginalized women and children in order to generate sustainable livelihoods and protect productive assets in Isiolo County, a consortium partner of the Drought Resilience in Isiolo County (DRIC) Project which is funded by European Union, VSF-Suisse/Kenya has conducted a two days study tour on pasture and fodder production for farmers in Isiolo county on the best practices and techniques of increasing the pasture and fodder production. The study tour took place at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) at Kiboko Arid and rangeland research institute in Makindu sub county of Makueni County on 18th and 19th May 2022.

VSF-Suisse/Kenya (lead partner) which implements activities on advocacy, livestock and milk value chains as well as fodder/rangelands management, in collaboration with the department of livestock production of the county government of Isiolo organized the study tour by inviting at least two participants from different wards and areas of Rapsu, Gafarsa, Mnandanur, Muchuro, Korbesa, shambani, Ngaremara, Leparua and Waso Dairy, where they are already practicing pasture and fodder production. A total number of 21 participants were involved in the study tour.. The tour consolidated; land preparation and planting, sowing methods, pasture harvesting, processing, storage and conversation, this will impact the farmers with the necessary Knowledge of pasture management which will improve their livelihood hence improving the economy.

The DRIC project addresses this vulnerability through a multi-sector One Health approach which encompasses human health, animal health and environmental interventions, and the creation and facilitation of a common platform for coordinating at institutional level and sharing good practice. Improved drought resilience and nutrition sensitive agriculture/livestock production, integrated with conflict resolution and peace building strategies. VSF/Kenya has sustainably built recovery capacities against recurrent droughts with a particular focus on women’s economic empowerment to address food security and nutrition issues in lsiolo County.

The action is aligned with the National Drought Management Authority’s (NDMA) Common Programme Framework (CPF) and Kenya’s Ending Drought Emergencies (EDE) strategy that focuses on the 23 most drought prone counties in Kenya.