Our projects> Providing Assistance for Design and Management of Appropriate Water Harvesting Technologies in Arid Lands

Providing Assistance for Design and Management of Appropriate Water Harvesting Technologies in Arid Lands

Closed

Adaptation

Agriculture/fishery

Water and sanitation

Call 1

Kenya

Time consumed

Start: 01-Oct-10 End: 01-Feb-13

Lead Nordic partner

Niras Natura AB

Country of Lead Nordic partner

Sweden

Local partner(s)

Appropriate Development Consultants Ltd (ADCL)

Other partner(s)

National Agriculture and Livestock Extension Programme, NALEP, Ministry of Water and Irrigation

NCF grant size

500,000

Total project cost

640,607

Technologies

Rainwater harvesting

Methods

Introduction of climate resilient crops, Training

Country of implementation:

Kenya

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Description

The project aims to increase resilience through improved water utilisation techniques in pastoralist communities in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya.

Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs) constitute about 80% of Kenya’s land. Drought is a recurring feature in these regions, however over the last twenty years a number of droughts have degenerated to famine resulting in loss of life and livelihood opportunities and leading to the... The project aims to increase resilience through improved water utilisation techniques in pastoralist communities in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya.

Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs) constitute about 80% of Kenya’s land. Drought is a recurring feature in these regions, however over the last twenty years a number of droughts have degenerated to famine resulting in loss of life and livelihood opportunities and leading to the need for massive levels of aid, especially emergency food supply. Through a combination of efficient utilisation of water, through water harvesting structures, provision of both food and cash crops, improved agronomic practices for food and fodder production and the establishment of local user groups the project has enhanced the pastoralist communities’ resilience to climate change. The trapezoidal bund technology has increased efficiency of the use of the scarce rain water resources and thereby increased domestic water supply security, also during dry periods. Together with improved cultivation and selection of appropriate crop varieties it has increased food and fodder production, and subsequently improved the pastoralists’ living conditions.

Climate change increases stress on pastoralist communities living in ASALs. Climate change scenarios point at more irregular rainfall patterns, with less rain and higher frequency of droughts and more intense local rainfall with floods as a result of heavy local rains. The improved water utilisation techniques will increase the communities’ capacity to withstand and endure changed weather conditions expected due to climate change.

The project’s innovative approach is the combination of modern water harvesting structures, tailor-made agronomical practices and community development mechanisms. The communities have been supported in establishing user groups to construct and manage the structures, distribute the water and coordinate the cultivation. Niras Natura had the overall responsibility for the project management and supported the community organisation and local management with resources including appropriate agricultural practices and ADCL had the main responsibility for field implementation. This included providing appropriate technical water harvesting solutions and training of local constructors, supervisors and user-groups.

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Objective

• Increased agriculture production during wet and modestly dry seasons
• Increased fodder production during wet and dry seasons from trees and grass,
• Increased security in supply of water for household needs and for small stock around the settlement areas
• Potential for limited growing of vegetables under water harvesting and under drip irrigation
• Improved social structure for management of the water, the crops, the land and the water harvesting structures...

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Results

A total of 49 trapezoidal bunds have been constructed in communal and private land as well as on a school ground to harvest water in arid conditions, leading to 48,200 m2 of cultivated land. 719 microcatchments have been constructed in the vicinity of institutions such as schools, clinics and cultural centres reaching out to approximately 13,500 persons including 2,000 school children. The project made a...

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Relevant links

NCF Newsletter, Ramboll Natura AB, http://www.water.go.ke

Providing Assistance for Design and Management of Appropriate Water Harvesting Technologies in Arid Lands

Time consumed

Lead Nordic partner

Country of Lead Nordic partner

Local partner(s)

Other partner(s)

NCF grant size

Total project cost

Technologies

Methods

Country of implementation:

Description

Objective

Results

Relevant links

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