ICA Japan - Kenya 2003

The rainfall of 600 ml. per year in Kitui is the minimum figure for growing corn. What is worse is the fact that the decrease of trees causes outflow of surface soils because of the slope of much of the land. The agroforestry project, a combination of both afforestation and agriculture, is a suitable method of producing in this type of land and climate.

Two tree nurseries have been established in Maini village, Maliku. This one is using seedlings such as greveria, leucenia, mango, papaya, and senna siamei.

The earlier parts of year three saw a focus on following up activities begun in the first two years of KIRDP. Follow ups identify problems in technique, production, and the project's less tangible outputs, such as communication and appropriateness. Training and observation also continued to further refine techniques that that will work in Kitui:s harsh conditions.

An ICA Kenya staff inspects a zero grazing unit in Mwala. This institute searches for way to keep constant feed supply and increase milk production.

Planting in a sausage sack is a smart way of retaining water.

Drip irrigation employs a drum ranging in size from 100 to over 1,000 liters to gradually distribute water.

Fertilizers shown here include dried maize cobs and straw, and livestock feces. They will be used in trench fertizilizing techniques.

Fertilization of plants in Kitui need not involve harmful and/or expensive pesticides and fertizilizers. ICA staff in Kenya, and from Japan have worked to introduce intelligent, safe, and sustainable growing materials.

"I don't know what's going on. My maize is growing so huge!" said Christine. She uses fertility trenches in this area classified as "semi-arid and unfertile."

Ms. Katumi from Kithongoini village receives a certificate of participation at the conclusion of an educational tour of the Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF).

Japanese agricultural specialist, Dr. Daito, presented grafted passionfruit seedlings to farmers in Itoleka. He says that passionfruit will be easier for the villagers to graft than papaya. He is preparing to transfer the grafting technique to the farmers.

Modern and sustainable techniques are most appropriate in Kitui. ICA uses the knowhow both from within Kenya and from progressive international practitioners.

All activites are carried out using local labor and materials in all cases except where necessary items are not available.

Furthermore, cost sharing encourages the investment of local people's time and energy, and provides legitimate local ownership and sustainability.

The digging of 10 water ponds for irrigation was completed in October before the rainy season. They were lined with plastic sheeting, 30% of the cost of which was shared among the villagers.

Ponds like this one in Itoleka fill with water in the rainy season in December and keep it into the successive dry season when the water will be needed.

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