Kenya is able to feed herself. However the key cause of food insecurity is over-reliance on erratic rainfall. Over 80% of Kenya`s landmass is classified as Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALS) and is prone to drought. A sustainable livelihood in the region is threatened by climate change. The challenge facing this ecosystem is how to enhance communities’ resilience whose livelihoods depend entirely on climate sensitive resources. Rain water harvesting and other conservation structures provide opportunities for enhanced sustainable agricultural production.
Tag: harvesting
Development of Rainwater Harvesting for IWRM Program to Re-green the Environment in Buurgabo and Kidifaani Villages of Badhaadhe District-Somalia
Roof Catchment Rainwater Harvesting Techniques
In the household approach, water is harvested from the roof of the household and stored in tanks made of different materials, namely Ferro-cement, bricks and or polyethylene.
A Case Study on Interventions to enhance biodiversity conservation
In its third year of implementation, the IGAD BMP project implemented by ICRAF in KenyaSomalia cross border area has recorded significant progress towards promoting alternative livelihoods for biodiversity conservation.
Ripening stage and drying method affecting colour and quality in Zimbabwe
Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. (Ber) fruit is harvested at different stages of ripening in the Zambezi valley of Zimbabwe. We hypothesize that the organoleptic quality attributes of fruits depend on post-harvest drying method and ripening stage at harvest. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different stages of ripening on the quality of Z. mauritiana fruits during drying. The fruits were graded into green, yellowish- brown and brown categories and these formed the treatments. Some of these fruits were blanched before drying for 1, 2 and 3 weeks under the solar dryer and the open sun drying methods. The green fruits lost significantly (P < 0.001) more weight during drying than the yellowish-brown and brown fruits regardless of the drying methods. The development of browning was more on the brown fruits than the green and yellowish-brown fruits.
Farmer enterprise development – empowering rural households through the development of appropriate marketing skills, strategies and technologies: pilot project sites – centre and north-west provinces (Cameroon)
Farmer enterprise development – increasing market opportunities for agroforestry tree products in Cameroon through improved market skills and strategies: pilot project sites – centre and north-west provinces (Cameroon)
Hunting indicators for community-led wildlife management in tropical Africa
Engaging local communities is pivotal for wildlife conservation beyond protected areas, aligning with the 30 × 30 target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We assessed the effectiveness of 33 offtake indicators, derived from hunter declarations, in monitoring the status and extent of degradation of hunted wildlife sourced from camera trap surveys and faunal composition analysis. The rodents:ungulates ratio in offtake and the mean body mass of total offtake emerged as practical and robust indicators of faunal degradation within hunting systems, with significant potential for broader application in similar tropical forest environments. Our findings provide a blueprint for managing and conserving natural resources in tropical regions through community-based initiatives. Involving local stakeholders ensures sustainable wildlife use and fosters ownership and responsibility. This study advances conservation efforts, bridging scientific rigor with community engagement for effective biodiversity preservation.
Harvesting, Postharvesting, and Marketing of Robusta Coffee in Pagar Alam
The market availability for red or ripe coffee cherries, which is an incentive for high-quality coffee postharvesting practises, remains limited, causing farmers to infrequently do so.
Tracing the Tradition: Regional Differences in the Cultivation, Utilization, and Commercialization of Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola, Clusiaceae) in Cameroon
Garcinia kola, known as bitter kola, is a promising multipurpose fruit tree from tropical forests in West and Central Africa. Despite the popularity of the species in folk medicine, very little is known about its management and commercialization. This knowledge might prevent unsustainable collection, overexploitation, and threats to its wild population. Thus, we investigated markets and identified three collection areas in Cameroon among 72 vendors selling bitter kola products. Among 122 purposively selected farmers, we analyzed the uses, management, and economic value of G. kola for rural households in these locations. We also documented the morphological characteristics of 227 trees utilized by interviewees. Knowledge of the medicinal properties of bitter kola was similar among all actors involved in the collection and commercialization of G. kola. However, the selected regions differed in management, plant part preferences, harvesting practices, and morphological characteristics. We suggest applying sustainable harvesting practices to support the conservation of wild-growing trees, promoting participatory domestication of the species, switching from bark collection to seed gathering, and linking farmers with promising and profitable markets.