From the Field Enhancing Well-being through Partnerships and Improved Forages
In the face of increasing climate change-induced droughts, the Alliance - through the CGIAR’s Ukama Ustawi initiative - has partnered with the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), the Conservation Tillage Network and other organizations to create innovative strategies to protect livelihoods by empowering smallholder farmers in Kenya to intensify, diversify, and de-risk maize-mixed farming through the integration of improved forage grasses for livestock feed and legumes into the cropping systems in three counties: Embu, Makueni, and Nakuru.
The CGIAR Initiative on Diversification for Resilient Agribusiness Ecosystems in East and Southern Africa - also known as Ukama Ustawi - aims to support climate-resilient agriculture and livelihoods in 12 countries in East and Southern Africa by helping smallholder farmers to intensify, diversify, and de-risk maize mixed farming through improved extension services, enterprise development and private investment.
Ukama Ustawi is a bilingual word derived from Shona and Swahili. In Shona, 'Ukama' refers to partnerships, and in Swahili, 'Ustawi' means well-being and development. Collectively, they represent the initiative’s vision to achieve system-level development through innovative partnerships: Together, we grow and develop.
This initiative is driven by the fact that East and Southern Africa is a climate change hotspot experiencing higher temperatures, shorter growing seasons, and extreme droughts and floods. Farming systems - both cropping and livestock systems - are facing vulnerability, resulting to yield declines in staple crops and fodder shortages for livestock. Therefore, these scenarios create serious levels of hunger and malnutrition with the highest burden experienced by women and youth from marginalized and vulnerable communities.
In Kenya - one of the countries in the Ukama Ustawi initiative - smallholder farmers are facing unprecedented challenges due to the effects of climate change. Unpredictable weather patterns, prolonged droughts, shorter growing seasons, unexpected floods and many other climate change effects continue to make it difficult for the smallholder farmers to make the right decision and/or develop resilience to potential crop failure, land degradation, and fodder insecurity, resulting in serious crop and livestock losses.
In the face of these challenges, within the framework of Ukama Ustawi, the Alliance has partnered with KALRO and other national stakeholders to create innovative strategies to safeguard livelihoods by empowering smallholder farmers in Kenya to intensify, diversify, and de-risk maize mixed farming through the integration of improved forage grasses and legumes into the cropping systems in three counties: Embu, Makueni, and Nakuru.
Mother demonstration
The introduction of improved forage grasses and legumes aims to boost the application of other innovative climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices such as mechanization, intercropping, mulching, and the use of certified seeds, all of which contribute to creating a climate-resilient agricultural system. However, some farmers face challenges in fully adopting these practices.
"Typically, farmers use crop residues from maize and legumes to feed their livestock, but when they’re introduced to mulching, those same residues are needed for soil cover. This creates a dilemma—whether to feed the livestock or apply mulch. However, with the introduction of improved forage grasses and legumes, farmers now have a nutritious alternative forage for their animals. This not only boosts livestock productivity but also frees up crop residues to be used effectively as mulch" said Fredrick Muthomi - Research Associate at the Alliance.
Boosting soil and livestock systems
The introduction of the improved forage grasses into the farming systems has improved land management practices by controlling soil erosion and establishment along the terraces and along the edges of the farms reduce land wastage, bridge knowledge gap through offering forage production trainings and advisory on diversification of forage production as a source of income generation through sales of forages. The forage grasses introduced in the project sites show drought tolerance, extensive deep-rooted system, high palatability and digestibility making them best suited for areas with rainfall shortages while offering high-yielding nutritious forage for the livestock.
"During droughts, when traditional fodder is in short supply, alternative drought-resistant forages become essential. By diversifying feed sources, farmers can better withstand prolonged dry periods. These resilient forages ensure a steady supply of fodder, reducing the overall impact of drought on farming systems. Consequently, integrating improved forages into maize mixed farming is proving to be an effective strategy for mitigating climate change risks for smallholder farmers in these counties." explained Solomon Misoi, Research Associate at the Alliance
Additionally, a forage legume called Crotalaria juncea var. Sunn Hemp/Crescent Sunn has been introduced into the cropping systems to enhance the soil fertility. Crotalaria fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, thus reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers; and improves soil structure, thus allowing for better water retention during the dry periods. Also, diversifying crops reduces the risk of total failure during droughts because Crotalaria and other legumes act as cover crops and have different water requirements and growth patterns compared to maize and forage grasses. The integration of the fast-growing Crotalaria also benefits livestock because its serves as an additional feed source, offering high-protein forage that supports animal health and productivity.
Learning by example
Farmer groups were identified in different sub-counties in the three Kenyan counties through the partnership with KALRO with continuous support from the Alliance's Forages team, where the approach of 'Mother and Baby' demonstration farms has been used to offer training on the various CSA practices being promoted, with a focus on routine upkeep, nutritional quality, and harvesting techniques to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the forage grasses.
- In Embu County, there are six mother demonstration farms where scientists from the Alliance, KALRO and other partners provide training. These farms, known as 'mothers', each support about 25 trainees, referred to as 'babies', who learn and then apply these innovative technologies on their own farms. Additionally, the KALRO center also has a demonstration plot for training visitors from across the county, neighboring counties, students and any other visitors. The forage varieties established in Embu include Urochloa hybrids Mulato II, Cobra, Cayman, and Camello from the Alliance's breeding program. Also introduced is the high-protein forage legume Crotalaria juncea var. Sunn Hemp/Crescent Sunn, which enhances animal health and productivity.
A virtual field tour was held on November 3rd 2023 in one of the mother demonstration farms, in Runyenjes sub-county, where over 230 local smallholder farmers - 60% being women - had the opportunity to attend in person and learn about the technologies while over 50 others including partners and farmers were able to join remotely through live streaming and appreciate the project’s interventions. - In Makueni county, the Alliance's Forages team have since established eight demonstration farms in farmers’ fields belonging members of six farmer groups, whose membership range between 10 and 30 members. Four forage grasses, Urochloa (Camello and Mulato II) and Megathyrsus maximus (Massai and Mombasa) have been planted in the eight farms through a participatory approach by the farmers in each group. Cumulatively, the Alliance's teams have trained over 155 farmers - the majority of whom are women - on the importance of adopting improved forages suited to dry environments that are high yielding and nutritious for their livestock.
- In Nakuru County, significant progress has been achieved through the Alliance's collaboration with KALRO Njoro on forage establishment and maintenance. Six farmer groups, each from a different ward, have provided land for the setup of six mother demonstration farms. Improved forage varieties, including Urochloa (Cayman, Cobra and Camello), Megathyrsus maximus and Crotalaria juncea, have been established along and around each of the six mother demos aimed at reducing reliance on crop residues and promoting conservation. An estimated head count of 200 farmers have already been trained in various aspects of forage establishment and maintenance in Nakuru County.
Planting activities by a group of farmers, predominantly women
"As part of our ongoing efforts, our team, in partnership with KALRO, has been diligently training farmers on the agronomic aspects of forage production and best farming practices to ensure effective management of the demonstration plots. Our approach includes regular follow-up visits, field days, and small-group trainings, which are crucial for reaching a broad spectrum of farmers, including those outside the direct demo plot areas" concluded Dr. Boaz Waswa - Project Lead of the Ukama Ustawi Initiative in Kenya.
Blog edited by Anny I. Yedra Cubillos with inputs from the Africa Tropical Forages Team.
