Climate change adaptation in Kitui

Since June 2021, we’ve been planting trees to restore degraded landscapes in Kitui County, Kenya through the ‘Climate Change Adaptation through Adoption of Agroforestry Technologies’ project.

Kitui County is a semi-arid region characterised by low rainfall and high levels of land degradation.

Climate change and deforestation for charcoal burning is devastating this already fragile ecosystem. Delayed rainfall and soil erosion means that small-scale farmers often struggle to provide for their families.

Regreening degraded landscapes

We partnered up with a local women-led organisation, Kitui Development Centre (KDC), to increase resilience to climate change across Kitui County ( Ikanga, Wikililye and Miambani).

This project is promoting sustainable land management techniques such as agroforestry (farming with trees). Agroforestry has many benefits including water flow regulation, reduced soil erosion and improved food security through increased crop yields.

Together with local communities, we’re planting indigenous trees, like Melia volenskii. We’re also supporting local farmers to plant fruit trees like papaya and passion fruit. Because these fruits are fast growing and do well in this region.

So far, 50,765 trees have been planted by 359 farmers and 16 local institutions such as churches, schools and health centres.

Establishing community tree nurseries

KDC is also working with local community members to establish community tree nurseries where training on seed sourcing and identification, seedbed preparation, propagation, pruning and fruit grafting takes places.

Since the project began, three community tree nurseries have already been established and 94 community members have been trained.

Below are astounding before and after pictures of the community tree nursery established at Kilingile.

Empowering women

Women in Kenya have less control over land than their male counterparts. Despite the vital work they do to sustain both the land and their families including farming and fetching firewood.

This project seeks to build women’s capacity in Natural Resource Management through Gender Integration workshops that explore gender issues and opportunities for women to be involved in the conservation of natural resources. So far, 30 community members have attended a workshop.

Building sustainable livelihoods

Thanks to this project, local farmers like Lillian are planting and growing trees that feed and support their families while replenishing their local landscape.

Lilian tending to her tree tree seedlings

Lillian told us, “I have benefited from all the tree planting trainings and now am able to start my own nursery. Since we started this project, I have been able to earn more than Ksh. 70,000 from the sale of the tree seedlings. This has assisted me in paying my children’s school fees and meet other domestic needs. I have also planted about 300 tree seedlings and soon I will be harvesting and eating fruits, after a while I will be able to get firewood.”

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Support communities on the front lines of the climate crisis to plant trees, restore ecosystems and improve their livelihoods.