Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to Climate Change Impacts November 2014, Nairobi Kenya Farmer Managed Natural regeneration (FMNR) as a panacea to drought situation in Baringo and Nakuru County, Kenya Presented by: Joan Sang, World Vision Kenya

The problem  Climate Change is real in Kenya: –Recurrent droughts, floods, windstorms –Unpredictable erratic rainfall patterns –Crop failure and loss of livestock –Death of children and adults due to hunger and malnutrition  Most cropping systems rain-fed, hence crops & livestock production are all vulnerable.  Vast areas of farmlands degraded - no longer produce adequate crops or pasture Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

The problem – Baringo and Nakuru Counties  Areas characterized by perennial droughts with subsequent flashfloods and land degradation;  Crop failure;  Loss of livestock;  Soil erosion.  Land degradation including charcoal production is a common phenomenon;  Solution - enhance communities’ capacity to adapt to a changing climate and increase their resilience Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

Solution - FMNR project  Project Goal:  To improve food security and climate resilience in smallholder farming systems in Kenya  FMNR is based on the systematic re-growth of existing trees or self-sown seeds;  Possible wherever there are living tree stumps with the ability to re-sprout or seeds in the soil that can germinate. Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

Solution - FMNR in addressing drought effects and food security Increased HH resilience  Farmers - already attesting the benefits of coping with recurrent droughts ; Livestock – no longer succumb to droughts; No migration of livestock in search of pasture.  The community harvest grass, feed the livestock, stock surplus for use during droughts, sell the rest;  Increased and continuous supply of milk and meeting other HH needs;  Multiple benefits - other livelihood options thus enhanced resilience;  More than 2500 households have adopted FMNR in the last 2 years;  More than 200 acres of land reclaimed under the project. Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

Emerging opportunities  FMNR is very cheap, rapid and replicable without external support – use of sprouting tree stumps, roots, wildlings;  Climate change resilience – multiple benefits for increased HH resilience  It is farmer managed – flexible - no prescription will be entirely suitable for every situation;  Enhanced bio-diversity - return of wildlife, rare plant species and natural pest predators.  Carbon finance – voluntary and compliance markets Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

Replication and up-scaling potential  Make economic sense -low cost, quick returns, multiple benefits ;  Degradation levels still on high scale – FMNR cheaper than conventional tree planting;  Mainstream FMNR in government plans and policies;  Community ownership - building a critical mass  Use demonstration sites,  Model farmers & Extension agents  Exchange visits to established FMNR sites; Use local mass media  Proper management regime – protection from livestock and fires Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

Considerations for FMNR Sustainability  Community ownership –  extension agents  Farmer exchange visits  Acknowledging use of indigenous knowledge  Local media for FMNR messages  Local partnership – govt, CBOs, local administration.  Tree and land user rights – use community bylaws on communal land;  Mainstream FMNR concepts in government policies & plans  Promote alternative livelihood & energy options Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

FMNR and other crosscutting issues  Disability - project intentional in the inclusion of persons with disabilities in trainings and committees;  Gender - ensured access to resources and participation by both men and women  Child protection and participation - training of teachers and school children on FMNR. Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

Considerations for upscaling ecosystem based approaches  Community education, awareness and participation – use learning sites and IK, land management (fires), exchange visits;  Tree and land user rights – use community bylaws on communal land;  Use existing community structures (extension agents, bottom up approach);  Mainstream FMNR concepts in government policies & plans;  Partnerships – all stakeholders  Alternative livelihood & energy options;  Children participation. Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

FMNR and beyond  The FMNR concept is gaining prominence in the region  Implemented in 11 countries - Ghana, Ethiopia, Timor Leste, Mali, Senegal, Niger, Indonesia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda;  Received the 2013 Land for Life Award by United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD);  Was ratified by Africa Union during the Second Africa Dry land week in August Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to El Nino Impacts

Workshop on Enhancing the Horn of Africa Adaptive and Responsive Capacity to Climate Change Impacts November 2014, Nairobi Kenya Presented by ….