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The Desert Margins Programme Approaches in Upscaling Best-Bet Technologies in Arid and Semi-arid Lands in Kenya

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Innovations as Key to the Green Revolution in Africa

Abstract

Kenya’s land surface is primarily arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) which account for 84% of the total land area. The Desert Margins Programme (DMP) in Kenya has made some contribution to understanding which technology options have potential in reducing land degradation in marginal areas and conserving biodiversity through demonstrations, testing of the most promising natural resource management options, developing sustainable alternative livelihoods and policy guidelines, and replicating successful models. In extension of sustainable natural resource management, two types of strategies were used: (i) strategies for the promotion of readily available technologies and (ii) approaches for participatory learning and action research. Thus DMP-Kenya initiated upscaling of four ‘best-bet’ technologies. Under the rangeland/livestock management options, scaling-up activities include improvement of rangeland productivity, rangeland resource management through community-based range resources monitoring/assessment, and fodder conservation for home-based herds. Restoration of degraded lands included rehabilitation of rangelands using the red paint approach in conservation of Acacia tortilis, control of Prosopis, planting of Acacia senegal trees in micro-catchments, and rehabilitation of degraded areas through community enclosures. Improved land, nutrient, and water management involved upscaling water harvesting and integrated nutrient management (INM) technologies. Activities under tree-crop/livestock interactions included upscaling of Melia volkensii and fruit trees (mangoes) and enhancing biodiversity conservation through support of beekeeping as a viable alternative livelihood. Participatory learning and action research (PLAR) was used for technology development and dissemination. Capacity building and training was a major component of upscaling of these best-bet technologies.

†(Deceased)

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the financial support from the Desert Margins Programme for Africa that is funded by GEF, implemented by UNEP, and executed by ICRISAT in collaboration with NARS in Africa. We thank the various collaborative partners in Kenya [KARI, KEFRI, University of Nairobi, NMK, NEMA, ITDG (Practical Action–East Africa), Government of Kenya extension services and other extension agents, etc.] for their technical support and the Director, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), for permission to publish this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Desert Margins Programme, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Nairobi, Kenya

    A. O. Esilaba, M. Okoti & W. Ego

  2. University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

    D.M. Nyariki & G.M. Muturi

  3. Desert Margins Programme, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya

    G.A. Keya & J.M. Miriti

  4. Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya

    J.N. Kigomo

  5. Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

    G. Olukoye†

  6. Kenya Forestry Research Station, Kibwezi, Kenya

    L. Wekesa

  7. Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Kiboko Research Centre, Makindu, Kenya

    W. Ego

  8. Desert Margins Programme, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya

    H.K. Cheruiyot

Authors
  1. A. O. Esilaba
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  2. M. Okoti
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  3. D.M. Nyariki
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  4. G.A. Keya
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  6. J.N. Kigomo
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  7. G. Olukoye†
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  8. L. Wekesa
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  9. W. Ego
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  10. G.M. Muturi
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  11. H.K. Cheruiyot
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. O. Esilaba .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Soil Health Program, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Afric, Agostino Neto Road, Airport Res. Area 6, Accra, Ghana

    Andre Bationo

  2. , African Network for Soil Biology and Fer, Tropical Soil Biology & Fertility Inst., c/o ICRAF, Off UN Avenue, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Boaz Waswa

  3. , African network for Soil Biology and Fer, Tropical Soil Biology & Fertility Inst., c/o ICRAF, Off UN Avenue, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Jeremiah M. Okeyo

  4. , Socio-economics and Biometrics, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Nairobi, 00800, Kenya

    Fredah Maina

  5. , African Network for Soil Biology and Fer, Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Inst, c/o ICRAF, Off UN Avenue, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Job Maguta Kihara

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Esilaba, A.O. et al. (2011). The Desert Margins Programme Approaches in Upscaling Best-Bet Technologies in Arid and Semi-arid Lands in Kenya. In: Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Okeyo, J., Maina, F., Kihara, J. (eds) Innovations as Key to the Green Revolution in Africa. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2543-2_120

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