European Union (EU) has provided Sh7.5 billion funding aimed at mitigating against drought and related effects in Baringo County, Kenya.

It is understood that the EU aims to contribute over Sh655 million in a scheme that will promote secure and sustainable sources of income among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities.

Dubbed Baringo Resilience Initiative, the four-year project, Development Diaries understands, is designed to improve the livelihoods of over 60,000 farmers in Tiaty, Mogotio through access to extension services and diversified farming systems.

‘Recurrent droughts, flooding and landslides that we are witnessing in several parts of the country underscore the need to address vulnerabilities in arid and semi-arid areas to ensure increased crop and livestock production, enhanced food and nutrition security and access to markets as part of building the resilience of the pastoral and agro-pastoral communities’, Devolution Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa, said while commissioning the project.

He said factors such as insecurity and conflict, high population growth, weakening community institutions and limited education opportunities were undermining food security and livelihoods in the ASAL regions.

It was gathered that the Baringo resilience initiative, which targets more than 10,000 households, will be implemented by Self Help Africa, Farming Systems Kenya and Sustainable Agricultural Initiative Network (SAII).

Self Help Africa Executive Officer Ray Jordan said the project would adopt a range of climate-smart ways to develop strategies that will achieve food and nutrition security and reduce poverty levels in target areas.

Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis lauded EU, saying the Baringo resilience project would greatly contribute to the county’s disaster preparedness.

Donna Brown

Source: Nation

Photo source: Donna Brown