ISLAMIC FARMING AND LAND MANAGEMENT Abdalla M. Kamwana 14 th October,2014

INTRODUCTION SUPKEM came with idea of developing Islamic farming in Kenya in Sept,2012 during the Conference held by ARC in Nairobi which was attended by different religious organizations from sub-Saharan Africa under the theme Many Heavens one Earth in Action. Through initial discussions between SUPKEM & ARC The idea was presented to SUPKEM leadership for discussion & it was fully endorsed A sub Committee led by the Vice Chairman was put in place to guide the implementation process

To SUPKEM this was a wake up call since it helped us realize & re-examine our potential that existed & was never exploited in our religion in the field of environment & agriculture SUPKEM embarked on transforming the negative attitude and behavior of its faithful towards the environment and Agriculture. As Muslims we are conscious of the fact that Islam is a complete way of life

SUPKEM venturing in agriculture is not an accident but a spiritual calling At the grassroot and community level we encountered several challenges Negative attitudes on farming by Muslims especially the Youths Poverty level is high among Muslims due to unemployment & historical marginalization Farming has become a costly affair requiring too much inputs and earning the farmer too little due to the poor farming methods. SUPKEM through Islamic Way of Farming took the initiative to rectify the situation and enabled farmers to produce high yielding crops through better farming methods.

Background SUPKEM spearheaded Islamic ways of farming through structured engagement by using its established structures SUPKEM initially begun by setting up 11 community demonstration sites for training communities on better Islamic farming methods This was upscaled to cover 8 more demonstration sites to absorb communities in Eastern & Central Parts of Kenya Within this demonstration sites practical action on farming were undertaken

Preparation Stage One of the activities in Islamic farming

SUPKEM s approach to Islamic farming is informed by 3 key perspective Management (Weeding, planting, thinning) Religious (Quran and Sunnah) Technology (Measurements, soil analysis, farm slope, e.t.c)

1. RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE In this approach we speak to the Muslims in the language they all understand, respect and uphold that of the Quran & Sunnah Since Islam is a complete way of life agriculture is vital component in Muslim life We used & applied Islamic principles & values in farming derived from Quran & Sunnah We had to change the negative attitudes & perceptions many people hold on farming especially the youths who look down upon farming

2.MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE Soil is the foundation of agriculture The well being of the soil is greatly emphasised Protection & conservation of soil is a must as farmers are taught on how to increase soil fertility by applying organic manure, minimum tillage & use of mulching Soil fertility is at the heart of traditional Muslim agriculture Crop rotation was practised in order to increase the crop yields, preserve the soil fertility & soil nutrients Farmers are also taught how to improve the ability of soil to retain water through mulching

3.TECHNICAL APPROACH Farmers were taught the different stages of plant production activities Farming ought to have minimal negative environmental impact Farming ought to increase yields as well as increase profits Farmers are taught on how to make home made fertilizers(Compost).

COMMUNITIES TARGETED 1. Karai Muslim Community-Kiambu County 2. Waithaka Muslim Community-Nairobi County 3. Limuru Muslim Community-Kiambu County 4. Muguga Muslim Community-Kiambu County 5. Karatha Muslim Community-Muranga County 6. Ndula Muslim Community-Kiambu County 7. Ngatho Muslim Community-Muranga County 8. OL-Donyo Sabuk Muslim Community-Machakos 9. Uruu Muslim Community-Meru County 10. Kutus Muslim Community-Kirinyaga County 11. Ndalani Muslim Community-Machakos County

COMMUNITIES TARGETED 12.Mbeere Muslim Community 13.Chuka Muslim Community 14.Laare Muslim Community 15.Ntobutwe Muslim Community 16.Kaelo Muslim Community 17.Kinna Muslim Community 18.Wabera Muslim Community 19.Mwonge Muslim Community

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN The following are key activities undertaken with the Communities 1. Trainer of Trainers (ToT) training on Islamic Way of Farming Training of the initial 30 community participants conducted in partnership with Global One 2015 and supported by Alliance for Religions for Conservation (ARC) and we formally recognize and congratulate the critical in-put of Sam Adams, Dr. Husna & Raphael Magambo of A Rocha kenya for tremendous work which ensured that the ToTs became well grounded both in theory & practise.

Training on composting

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN The good work done by Dr. Husna & Sam Adams enabled SUPKEM to support 30 ToTs drawn from the 11 communities to further train 200 Muslim farmers drawn from their respective Counties The ToTs went a step further & successfully managed to establish 19 community level Islamic way of farming demonstrations sites located within their various Mosque compound

Launch of Islamic Farming manual

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS In summary the following are the key achievements from the Islamic way of Farming programme  Training of 30 community ToTs on Islamic way of Farming  Support for 19 communities to train a total of 200 farmer  Successful support to communities to establish 19 Islamic way of Farming demonstration sites  Mobilisation &support for 22 representative of the farming communities to attend & witness the Islamic way of farming tool kit launch.  The Islamic Farming Toolkit was Translated into Kiswahili version and supplied to 200 farmers

The Islamic Farming Toolkit was Translated into Kiswahili version and supplied to 200 farmers Youths have shown keen interest in Islamic Farming & spearheading the 19 demonstration sites We have supplied the 200 farmers with various tree seedlings for planting After the launch of the Islamic toolkit, SUPKEM was invited by several FM stations in Kenya. SUPKEM’s work on agriculture was recognised and congratulated by the Ministry of Agriculture.

FEEDBACK FROM FARMERS

1.Sentiments of Abdalla Njuguna Kihara of Thika East WHAT ATTRACTED HIM TO ISLAMIC FARMING -The unique Islamic approach became attravtive because of the Islamic Religious elements it incoperates. -Being a devout practicing muslim, Islamic farming dovetails well with his daily IBADA (WORSHIP) -Islamic farming offers the best opportunity for a chance in his lifestyle.Since for the first time he looks forward to gain healthy returns fro his daily farming activities while at the same time he will be catering for both his worldly and the hearafter affairs.However he stresses that Islamic farming has made a great differance in farming by ; a) Yields has increased significantly especially as regards maize, beans, peas and potatoes.Although he did not faithfully adhear to the six steps which are the foundation of Islamic farming.He however hopes to rectify and adhere to the six steps in the fourth coming planting season.

By the use of mulching he has made considerable water conservation. While he used to irrigate twice in a week he now does it once in every 2 weeks What has delighted him most is that as he prepares for the planting cycles there will be no need to hoe his plot thanks to Islamic way of farming which advocates for minimum land tillage. Reduction in pests which he relates to increase in the reduction of weeds He claims his soil texture has started to change positively being darker & more richer in fertility

The ultimate aim of Islamic ways of farming is to have a healthy bountiful crops while being mindful of the welfare of our soil and environment

High yielding crops due to proper farming methods