Farmers saving degraded River Njoro Basin using agroforestry, adopting cash crops to boost incomes

Farmers in Njoro are looking forward to diversifying their incomes through the adoption of cash crops  such as avocado and irish potatoes. PHOTO | WWF-KENYA | ELIZABETH GATHOGO

Hundreds of smallholder farmers in the River Njoro Basin are building a secure future using  agroforestry and sustainable agriculture as part of a larger project to restore the degraded watershed.  

Since the beginning of May 2023, 482 farmers have received 5,000 avocado tree seedlings and 28.8 tonnes of high-quality certified Irish potato seeds for planting during the long rain season. 

Caption: Community members receive avocado tree seedlings in May in Nakuru County. WWF-Kenya partnered with the Nakuru County Agriculture Department to distribute avocado tree seedlings and Irish potato certified seeds to enable the community to diversify income streams as well as conserve the Njoro watershed. Photo | WWF-Kenya | Elizabeth Gathogo

"Accessing certified Irish potato seeds has always been a challenge due to the high costs and has been limiting us from achieving high yields. I believe now we will have more yields and more money," said Titus Kimutai, a farmer from Mauche Ward. 

Titus received 10 avocado tree seedlings. He plans to plant more avocado tree seedlings so that besides making him money, they can curb the washing away of topsoil on his farm which is on a slope.

Caption: Elizabeth Gathogo (left), Project Officer Agribusiness, WWF-Kenya, with a group of farmers in Njoro. She oversaw the distribution of irish potatoes for planting to the farmer’s groups in the Njoro Basin. PHOTO | WWF-Kenya | Elizabeth Gathogo 

The farmers, from Nessuit and Mauche wards, are also receiving fodder grass, brachiaria, for planting to arrest soil erosion in the region whose land was stripped bare through cultivation of crops and or unsustainable land use practices. 

Njoro Basin is of significant socio-economic and environmental importance as it hosts part of the Eastern Mau Forest block, River Njoro, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Nakuru National Park. 

With agriculture as the main economic mainstay and with its produce a key contributor of food security for Nakuru City and its surrounding areas, the basin has suffered degradation over the years through unsustainable agricultural practices. 

Some of the unsustainable agricultural practices that have contributed to degradation of the basin have been misuse and overuse of pesticides, deforestation, and poor water and soil conservation measures. 

“These practices have led to low productivity and negatively impacted biodiversity. The farmers are also faced with more challenges affecting their ability to optimize their production,” said Dr. William Ojwang, Kenya Rift Lakes Programme Manager, WWF-Kenya. 

WWF-Kenya oversaw the distribution of the avocado tree seedlings, brachiaria and irish potatoes to the farmers in May this year. 

Caption: 28.8 tonnes of high-quality certified Irish potato seeds were distributed to 482 farmers in Njoro for planting during the long rain season. Photo | WWF-Kenya | Elizabeth Gathogo

“Most of the farmers have been growing maize without diversifying to other crops. This has left them vulnerable to weather and market uncertainties,” said Dr Ojwang, adding “by planting this grass they prevent soil erosion and protect their land while also providing valuable source of high-protein fodder for their livestock”

This is why WWF-Kenya partnered with the Nakuru County’s Agriculture department to showcase the power of sustainable agriculture and community development as drivers of conservation. 

“With each seed sown, they sow the seeds of prosperity, sustainability and hope. The impact of their efforts reaches beyond their field, positively influencing their families, communities and nature,” said Ojwang. 

The initiative has been implemented through the project, Integrated River Njoro Catchment Management for Enhanced Ecosystem Services & Livelihoods, which kicked off in 2021 and runs until 2024. 

The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Overall, it seeks to rehabilitate the basin which supports about 300,000 people.