ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

2.1.4 Contribution to the overall DMP project goal and objectives
The technologies being implemented in the project sites aim at the conservation and restoration of biodiversity in
Desert Margins through sustainable utilization of resources. These technologies address project Output 2 (strategies
for conservation, restoration and sustainable use of degraded agro-ecosystems), Output 3 (capacity building of
stakeholders), Output 4 (sustainable alternative livelihoods) and Output 7 (stakeholders’ participation).
2.1.5 Projected potential impacts
When implemented to completion the various components being attended to within the program will have
accumulated effect to achieve the following impacts:
• Increased biodiversity particularly in the rangelands that will then be under improved management in respect to
rotational grazing, reduced fire damage, less tree felling, reduced erosion and generally better appreciated due to a
better and more informed perspective in respect to their value. Matobo District alone is expected to have more
than 65000 ha of rangelands influenced. Tsholotsho will have more than this as it also covers wildlife areas.
• Households in participating communities will have more income from the marketing of goods and products drawn
from forests and woodlands (timber and non-timber) and rangelands (livestock). The organized Mopane worm
marketing enterprise is expected to generate huge returns for the communities. Improved management of wetlands
and their related catchments in Chivi District is expected to bring about increased production capacities of these
environments. Micro-irrigation schemes to be established in Tsholotsho feeding from the Gariya Dam water is
expected to improve nutrition and reduce food shortages particularly amongst the Sani communities. The
canalized water from the dam to both game and livestock areas will bring about reduced degradation and less crop
damage from roaming game that will then have no impulse to roam into human settlements as they currently do in
search of water.
• Conservation works in arable areas within uplands will enhance soil water retention and hence their adoption is
expected to improve crop yields and this will be augmented with the introduction and use of stress tolerant
varieties.
E. Kenya
1. The context
The problem of desertification and land degradation in Kenya presents a major threat to all facets of land
productivity. The potential scale of desertification in Kenya is serious as over 80% of the total land area is
categorized as arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL). The absence of quantitative data necessary for predicting land
degradation and detecting critical management alternatives has curtailed the development of conservation practices
applicable to ASALs. This has also prevented objective evaluation and adaptation of models and experiences
developed elsewhere and hindered the rehabilitation of degraded land. The DMP has local objectives of mitigating
land degradation in the desert margins in Kenya. While addressing its primary objective of alleviating land
degradation, DMP is expected to make a significant reduction in the negative impacts associated with other factors
that cause degradation processes.
In up-scaling identified best-bet technologies, two strategies were used: (i) strategies for the promotion of readily
available technologies and (ii) approaches for participatory learning and innovation on knowledge-based issues
including NRM. The methodologies and approaches used in up-scaling included establishment of small scale
demonstration plots, on-farm trials, training and stakeholder workshops, information dissemination and exchange,
and raising awareness to foster adoption of sustainable land use practices. DMP has participated in a number of
initiatives to generate a policy and regulatory environment to encourage sustainable use of natural resources.
Community-based management of natural resources, and monitoring and evaluation of the natural resource base
with the pastoral communities was started in the DMP sites. This was implemented in close collaboration with the
relevant stakeholders involved in extension related activities. They included extension services, international,
national and local non governmental organizations (NGOs) and private sector who directly work with farmer groups
and community based organizations (CBOs) as primary beneficiaries.
The existing and new farmer networks thus formed serve as the basis for the set-up of stakeholder platforms for all
relevant partners involved in research and development activities in the sites. The district and location authorities, in
collaboration with the NGOs and operational extension services are the main partners in this scaling-up and scaling-
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