Solutions Panorama

Tree Nursery: A
Profitable, Eco-
Friendly Addition
Featuring:
Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United
Nations
Where:
Kenya
Time Frame:
2011- Present
SUMMARY
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations incorporated
Climate-Smart Agriculture into a project focusing on female small-scale farmers
and dairy farmers. The Climate-Smart Agriculture approach helps to guide the
transformation of agricultural systems to effectively support development
and ensure food security in a changing climate as a means of improving
yields, income, and wellbeing. Women in the Kamotony region of Kenya, who
were concerned about their economic stability, were trained in Climate-Smart
Agriculture practices and decided collectively to start a tree nursery.
The women now
report that their
household food
security and income
have increased.
IMPACT
The tree nursery provided a new source of income from the sale of indigenous
tree seedlings, tea leaves, ornamental trees, garden flowers, and tree cuttings.
The women were able to increase dairy production after applying their training
on dairy cattle management and investing their tree nursery profits. This
allowed them to access credit facilities, which has enabled them to make
further investments in their farm enterprises. The women now report that
their household food security and income have increased due to Climate-Smart
Agriculture practices. In addition, the application of composted manure to
their kitchen gardens has contributed to improved household nutrition. The
women suggested that the adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture practices has
generally reduced their stress levels and enhanced cohesion in their homes.
LEARN MORE
“Barriers, incentives and benefits in the
adoption of climate-smart agriculture: Lessons
from the MICCA pilot project in Kenya,”
Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations
Climate-Smart Agriculture;
fao.org
Source: Invest in Women to Tackle Climate
Change and Conserve the Environment policy
brief
The success of this group has made it easier for them to adopt other
practices such as agroforestry (agriculture incorporating the cultivation and
conservation of trees). Apart from being a source of firewood and herbs,
the planting of trees has freed up time the women used to spend collecting
firewood, which they now use for other productive activities.
WOMEN DELIVER 2016 CONFERENCE: SOLUTIONS PANORAMA 100