UNDP officer visits Ng’arua Maarifa Centre

By Bob Aston

Ng’arua Maarifa Centre received a guest from United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on April 10, 2014. The field visit enabled Nancy Chege-National Coordinator at UNDP-GEF SGP to learn more about activities carried out by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) in Sipili Division, Laikipia County.

Nancy being taken through services offered by the Maarifa Centre

During the visit Noah Lusaka, Project Manager-ALIN took Nancy through various services offered by the Maarifa Centre.

Noah informed Nancy that Sokopepe Ltd, a social enterprise under license from Fit Uganda has introduced Farm Record Management Information System – Kenya (FARMIS Kenya) and they are now set to start profiling farmers in Laikipia County.

Noah also mentioned some of the services provided by the Maarifa Centre like; ICT training, Citizen Journalism training, online market information, multimedia content, advisory services, library services, publications, internet access, E-government services and Tangaza Pesa money transfer.

On her part Nancy appreciated the work done by the Maarifa Centre saying that she had learnt a lot during the visit.

Nancy going through FARMIS-Kenya flyer

She said that she is looking towards a coordinated approach by ALIN which will bring together UNDP stakeholders operating in Laikipia County. This she said will ensure that all the stakeholders work towards a common goal.

 ‘I have observed that marketing is a big issue for most farmers and I hope it will be addressed through Sokopepe,” said Nancy.

UNDP through its small Grants Programme (SGP) is funding ALIN to support a community knowledge access and sharing between natural resources management projects in Laikipia West, Laikipia County.

The objective is to promote the adoption of general UNDP/GEF programme objectives, specifically towards sustainable ecosystem management, small holder agriculture and renewable energy objectives.

This will include sustainable landscape management, maintenance or enhancement of ecosystem services, climate change mitigation options, knowledge management and capacity development.