Project Goal: To enhance the climate resilience, productivity, and profitability of smallholder dairy and tea farmers in Bomet County through the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, improved livestock management, and strengthened value chain linkages.

Context in Bomet County: Bomet County is a high-potential agricultural zone. Tea is a major cash crop, with numerous smallholder farmers supplying tea factories, and dairy farming is a significant source of income and nutrition. However, climate change poses direct threats:

• Rainfall Variability: Unpredictable rainfall patterns, including delayed onset of rains, shorter wet seasons, and intense downpours leading to erosion, directly impact tea yields and fodder availability for dairy.
• Soil Degradation: Intensive farming practices, especially on sloped land, combined with heavy rains, lead to soil erosion and nutrient depletion, reducing long-term productivity.
• Feed Scarcity: Droughts reduce pasture and fodder availability, increasing the cost of supplementary feeds for dairy cattle and impacting milk production.
• Disease & Pest Pressure: Changing climatic conditions can alter the prevalence and distribution of pests and diseases affecting both tea plants and livestock.
• Market Fluctuations & Post-Harvest Losses: Farmers often face challenges in accessing stable markets and experience losses due to inadequate storage or processing facilities.

PRCD’s project addresses these vulnerabilities by promoting practices that enhance productivity while simultaneously building resilience.

Key Project Pillars and Detailed Activities:

Pillar 1: Climate-Smart Practices for Soil Health and Water Management

• Soil Conservation and Management:
  • Activities: Training and practical demonstration of techniques like terracing, contour farming, and construction of cut-off drains on sloped tea farms to prevent soil erosion and conserve moisture.
  • Promotion of minimum tillage or no-tillage practices for food crops (e.g., maize, beans) intercropped with tea or grown in other farm sections.
  • Encouraging and providing support for the use of organic matter (compost, manure, mulching) to improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
• On-Farm Water Harvesting & Efficient Use:
  • Activities: Supporting farmers in constructing small farm ponds/reservoirs to collect rainwater from rooftops or surface runoff for supplementary irrigation during dry spells.
  • Introduction and demonstration of drip irrigation systems for tea nurseries, vegetable plots, and fodder plots, significantly reducing water usage.
  • Training on efficient water scheduling based on crop needs and local weather patterns.

Pillar 2: Resilient Livestock Management and Fodder Production

• Improved Fodder Production & Conservation:
  • Activities: Introduction and promotion of drought-tolerant and high-yielding fodder crops (e.g., Napier grass, Brachiaria, improved legumes like Lucerne, Desmodium).
  • Training farmers on fodder preservation techniques such as silage making and hay baling to ensure a consistent supply of quality feed during dry seasons.
  • Demonstration of hydroponics for fodder production in small, controlled environments, especially for zero-grazing dairy units.
• Enhanced Animal Health & Breeding:
  • Activities: Training on basic veterinary care, disease prevention (e.g., tick control), and timely vaccination schedules to improve livestock health and reduce climate-related stress.
  • Promoting climate-resilient dairy breeds or crossbreeds that are more tolerant to heat stress and changes in feed availability.
  • Facilitating access to artificial insemination (AI) services for genetic improvement.
• Manure Management & Biogas Production:
  • Activities: Training farmers on proper collection, storage, and application of farmyard manure to improve soil fertility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Promoting the construction of small-scale biodigesters that convert animal waste into biogas for clean cooking and lighting, simultaneously producing bio-slurry as an organic fertilizer.

Pillar 3: Value Addition, Market Access, and Economic Diversification

• Tea Value Addition & Quality Improvement:
  • Activities: Training tea farmers on best practices for green leaf plucking and handling to ensure high-quality produce.
  • Exploring opportunities for small-scale value addition at the farm level (e.g., processing specialty teas, herbal tea blends) for direct market access where feasible.
  • Facilitating farmer group access to Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, or other sustainability certifications to secure premium prices and access niche markets.
• Dairy Value Chain Strengthening:
  • Activities: Training on hygienic milk handling, quality control, and basic milk processing (e.g., pasteurization, yogurt, mala production, cheese making) to reduce spoilage and increase shelf life.
  • Supporting the formation or strengthening of dairy cooperatives to improve milk collection, bulking, and collective bargaining power for better prices.
  • Facilitating linkages between farmer groups and local milk processors or direct consumers to shorten the value chain and increase farmer margins.
• Diversified Income Streams:
  • Activities: Encouraging farmers to diversify beyond tea and dairy, exploring other high-value crops (e.g., avocados, Irish potatoes, indigenous vegetables) or enterprises (e.g., beekeeping, poultry) that can provide additional, less climate-sensitive income.

Pillar 4: Capacity Building, Technology Adoption & Policy Linkages

• Extension Services & Peer Learning:
  • Activities: Regular field days, farmer-to-farmer learning exchanges, and establishment of model farms to demonstrate successful climate-resilient practices.
  • Leveraging mobile technology for agro-weather advisories and market information dissemination.
• Access to Finance & Inputs:
  • Activities: Linking farmers to financial institutions for affordable credit to invest in improved inputs or climate-smart technologies.
  • Facilitating group purchasing of inputs to reduce costs.
• Advocacy & Collaboration:
  • Activities: Engaging with the Bomet County government, Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) factories, and dairy processors to advocate for supportive policies, infrastructure development, and fair pricing mechanisms that benefit smallholder farmers.

Expected Outcomes:

• Increased Productivity: Higher yields for both tea and dairy products, leading to improved food security and income.
• Enhanced Resilience: Farmers are better able to withstand droughts, erratic rainfall, and other climate shocks, ensuring more stable livelihoods.
• Improved Soil Health & Water Conservation: Reduced soil erosion, increased soil fertility, and more efficient water use on farms.
• Higher Farmer Incomes: Through increased productivity, value addition, and better market access.
• Reduced Environmental Footprint: Lower reliance on synthetic inputs, improved waste management, and potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., from biodigesters).
• Stronger Farmer Organizations: Empowered cooperatives and farmer groups capable of collective action and advocating for their rights.

This project directly addresses Bomet County’s specific agricultural challenges, ensuring that its vital tea and dairy sectors can continue to thrive in a changing climate, benefiting thousands of smallholder farmers and the local economy.nlocking significant potential for growth and well-being.