The Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Program, a five-year initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented through county governments, focused on enhancing climate resilience and productivity among farmers. From June 2019 to July 2020, our team was contracted by Tharaka Nithi County to manage the livestock component of the program, providing farmers with the training and resources needed to adopt climate-smart practices and innovative agricultural techniques. Our efforts began with organizing and forming farmer groups to create a collaborative network for sharing knowledge and best practices. Through these groups, we supported farmers in developing proposals aimed at securing funding for projects that would improve productivity and integrate climate-smart solutions into their operations.

In partnership with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), we introduced high-yield, protein-rich fodder varieties with high digestibility, designed to boost livestock productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To further promote sustainability, we trained farmers on biogas installation, offering them a clean energy source derived from agricultural waste, which also contributed to waste reduction. Additionally, we implemented a robust monitoring system to track the farmers’ progress, evaluating both productivity improvements and the adoption of new technologies. These comprehensive training and monitoring efforts helped farmers improve the quality and efficiency of their livestock practices, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural landscape in Tharaka Nithi County.