By Bob Aston
Some of the co-operative members have
already started using bi deposit fertilizer. They said that bio deposit
fertilizer can help plants withstand dry conditions. Some members managed to
harvest as much as forty (40) bags of maize in a one acre piece of land.
Kenya launched its National Climate Change Action Plan
(NCCAP) last year. The plan addresses the options for a low-carbon climate
resilient development pathway as Kenya adapts to climate impacts and mitigates
growing emissions. Since then farmers have been trying to benefit from carbon
credit. Ng’arua Fruits Organic Farmers Co-operative Society Limited is now
among those who will soon start benefiting from carbon credit money.
The Co-operative which was formed in 2010 currently has 67
active members majority being women. They have partnered with Biodeposit Africa,
Restore Hope Foundation and Musoni Kenya Ltd to ensure that members start
benefiting from carbon credit money.
Farmers being capacity built |
Currently one gets credited to the extent to which one is
emitting less carbon as per the standards fixed by the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).
Samwel Nyaga, Secretary Ng’arua Fruits Organic Farmers
Co-operative Society Limited said that the objective for which the society was
established are: to organize and promote the welfare and economic interest of
its members, to arrange the operations marketing, processing, grading,
packaging and transporting the members produce and to arrange the purchase and
resale of bio-deposit fertilizers and bio-deposit agro for organic farming
establishment in Ng’arua.
“Members have immensely benefited
through various capacity building trainings organized by Biodeposit Africa and Musoni
Kenya Ltd. They now understand a lot about carbon credit and how one can
improve his economic livelihood through it,” said Samwel.
Samwel said that many benefits are
oncoming for example receiving carbon credit money which will be disbursed
together with castor oil cookers.
“Carbon credit money will be received
thrice a year. This will be through planting trees, when one does not use chemical
fertilizer when planting and also through burning methane gas,” said Samwel.
Samwel said that one tonne of carbon
dioxide is equal to one credit. Credit will also depend with the prevailing
market forces. This will be equated to between 40 dollars per credit. On
average one tree will consume between 10-12 kgs.
Samwel said that one hundred trees
will earn a farmer close to 40 dollars. Trees like eucalyptus will earn a
farmer more as they absorb a lot of carbon.
The Co-operative is awaiting delivery
of castor seeds from Biodeposit Africa. The castor seeds will cover half an
acre and will be able to mature after four months. Members will then be able to
earn from sale of the castor seeds after every month.
Restore Hope Foundation has already promised
them that they will buy mature castor seeds from the Co-operative at Ksh 30 per
kilo.
Farmers being capacity built |
“I have planted kales using bio
deposit fertilizer. Production is high compared to using chemical fertilizer,”
said Samwel.
The Co-operative members have also
planted grafted passion which they received from Biodeposit Africa. They now
expect to start harvesting passion fruits from July.
Samwel said that one of the
challenges that they face is lack of established market for organic products.
They are now looking for partners who can assist them find market for their
crops.
The Co-operative is also trying to
get youths to be more actively involved in organic farming. Most of the members
are elderly people.
“We do not have youths among the
members. We are currently trying to recruit more youths. They are the future
farmers of this country,” said Samwel.
Samwel said that their future plans
include having a factory for processing fruits as well as a company for
processing castor oil.
“We are after green revolution and at
the same time we are ensuring that our members practice sustainable
agriculture,” said Samwel.
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