Ng’arua Maarifa Centre set to hold an open day

By Bob Aston

Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is set to hold an open day at Ng’arua Maarifa Centre, located at Sipili Sub-County office on July 12, 2014. The event which will be graced by among others Laikipia County representatives will also mark the official launch of a Natural Resources Management (NRM) and Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM) knowledge sharing kibanda at the Maarifa Centre.

Also expected at the open day will be United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) grantees from Laikipia County that include; Kantuka Community Based Organization, Upper Ewaso Narok Water Resource Users Association, Rumuruti Forest Association, Ilmamusi Forest Association, Tuungane Tusaidiane community project, Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), Sustainable Agriculture Community Development Programme (SACDEP), Segera Jirani na Mazingira, Yiaku Laikipia Trust and Laikipia Central Community Development (LAICCODO).

Picture of Ng'arua Maarifa Centre

The open day aims to create an effective knowledge sharing platform to build communities’ capacity for effective stewardship of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices and enhanced resilience in Laikipia County.

The event will provide an opportunity to see various technologies/innovations on climate change adaptation services or products which will be on display during the event. A lot of materials will also be archived at the knowledge sharing Kibanda during the open day.

Some of the innovations that the public should look out for during the open day include; Biogas, Tea Tree from Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), clay filters, wonder bags, recipe books, farmer innovation on value addition, jikos that do not require a lot of firewood and a Manyatta structure water harvesting innovation.

Farmers will also get an opportunity to learn more about SOKO+ and Farm Record Management Information System (FARMIS) and even register for the products.

“I am looking forward to seeing water harvesting innovation. I have kales in my nursery but I have not yet transplanted because of lack of water. I hope I will be able to learn how I can harvest water so that I will stop depending on rain fed water for farming,” said James Mwangi, a youth farmer, from Naibrom area.

Some of the participants who attended Sokopepe launch last year

Last year the centre also oversaw the successful launch of Sokopepe where over 500 people attended and trained on Sokopepe SMS services as well as registering for Sokopepe. Six (6) champion farmers from other Maarifa Centres also participated.

Innovations represent not only an important facet of the climate adaptation issue in agriculture but also provide farmers with an opportunity that they can explore. The development of new agricultural practices and technologies will help farmers to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

It is clear that the effect of climate change has been widely felt by farmers in Sipili Division this year. The open day will provide farmers with a forum to learn about climate change adaption and mitigation.

On behalf of ALIN, Laikipia Rural Voices would like to welcome members of the public to the open day which will be held at Ng’arua Maarifa Centre on July 12, 2014 from 10:00 am. Feel free to come to the Maarifa Centre for any inquiries.