By Bob Aston
Last year the centre also oversaw the
successful launch of Sokopepe where
over 500 people attended and trained on Sokopepe SMS services as well as
registering for Sokopepe. Six (6) champion farmers from other Maarifa Centres
also participated.
Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN)
is set to hold an open day at Ng’arua Maarifa Centre, located at Sipili
Sub-County office on July 12, 2014. The event which will be graced by among
others Laikipia County representatives will also mark the official launch of a Natural
Resources Management (NRM) and Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM) knowledge
sharing kibanda at the Maarifa
Centre.
Also expected at the open day will be
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Small Grants Programme (SGP) grantees from Laikipia County that include;
Kantuka Community Based Organization, Upper Ewaso Narok Water Resource Users Association,
Rumuruti Forest Association, Ilmamusi Forest Association, Tuungane Tusaidiane
community project, Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), Sustainable
Agriculture Community Development Programme (SACDEP), Segera Jirani na
Mazingira, Yiaku Laikipia Trust and Laikipia Central Community Development
(LAICCODO).
Picture of Ng'arua Maarifa Centre |
The open day aims to create an
effective knowledge sharing platform to build communities’ capacity for
effective stewardship of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices and
enhanced resilience in Laikipia County.
The event will provide an opportunity
to see various technologies/innovations on climate change adaptation services
or products which will be on display during the event. A lot of materials will
also be archived at the knowledge sharing Kibanda
during the open day.
Some of the innovations that the
public should look out for during the open day include; Biogas, Tea Tree from Kenya
Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), clay filters, wonder bags, recipe books,
farmer innovation on value addition, jikos that do not require a lot of
firewood and a Manyatta structure water harvesting innovation.
Farmers will also get an opportunity
to learn more about SOKO+ and Farm Record Management Information System (FARMIS)
and even register for the products.
“I am looking forward to seeing water
harvesting innovation. I have kales in my nursery but I have not yet
transplanted because of lack of water. I hope I will be able to learn how I can
harvest water so that I will stop depending on rain fed water for farming,”
said James Mwangi, a youth farmer, from Naibrom area.
Some of the participants who attended Sokopepe launch last year |
Innovations represent not only an
important facet of the climate adaptation issue in agriculture but also provide
farmers with an opportunity that they can explore. The development of new
agricultural practices and technologies will help farmers to mitigate and adapt
to climate change.
It is clear that the effect of climate
change has been widely felt by farmers in Sipili Division this year. The open
day will provide farmers with a forum to learn about climate change adaption
and mitigation.
On behalf of ALIN, Laikipia Rural
Voices would like to welcome members of the public to the open day which will
be held at Ng’arua Maarifa Centre on July 12, 2014 from 10:00 am. Feel free to
come to the Maarifa Centre for any inquiries.
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