Eleven community groups from Siaya County have received support for climate-smart agriculture, including solar-powered water pumps and incubators valued at 3.5 million shillings. This initiative, led by LVBC, aims to empower vulnerable populations and address climate change effects. The project is part of a larger effort funded by UNEP, aiming to enhance community resilience through sustainable practices.
In an effort to address climate change and enhance resilience among vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities, eleven community groups in Siaya County have been awarded crucial support for climate-smart agriculture. This initiative is led by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), aiming to empower communities through sustainable agricultural practices to combat climate change’s adverse effects.
The project provides these eleven groups with solar-powered water pumps and incubators, valued at 3.5 million shillings. Eng. Hildah Luoga, Project Development Officer at LVBC, emphasized that the tools are designed to transform agricultural practices by improving irrigation access and facilitating poultry farming, essential for sustainable agricultural development in the region.
Eng. Luoga highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, including erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and decreased agricultural productivity. She explained that solar-powered water pumps would enable farmers to irrigate their crops, ensuring food security even during dry spells. Additionally, incubators will enhance poultry farmers’ hatch rates, increasing income and nutritional access.
This initiative forms part of the larger “Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin” project, funded by the Adaptation Fund via the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which has a total funding allocation of USD 5 million. The program spans five East African nations: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.
“The project is a crucial initiative aimed at enhancing the adaptive capacity of communities within the region,” remarked Eng. Luoga. Local beneficiaries expressed their appreciation, particularly emphasizing how the support would improve their livelihoods. “With this solar-powered pump, we will no longer depend solely on rainfall. We can now practice irrigation and grow crops all year round,” stated Jane Achieng, a farmer from one of the recipient groups.
The LVBC, as part of the East African Community (EAC), is tasked with managing sustainable development in the Lake Victoria Basin. This initiative aims to integrate climate-smart solutions into Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and the wider East African climate resilience strategy.
The initiative to support vulnerable groups in Siaya County with climate-smart agriculture is a significant step towards enhancing resilience against climate impacts. By providing solar-powered water pumps and incubators, the program empowers communities to improve agricultural productivity and food security. Such efforts align with regional and national strategies to combat climate change while promoting sustainable development in East Africa.
Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke
