Eleven community groups from Siaya County received support for climate-smart agriculture from the Lake Victoria Basin Commission. The project includes solar-powered water pumps and incubators, aiming to improve irrigation and enhance poultry farming. This initiative is part of a USD 5 million program funded by UNEP, targeting climate resilience in East Africa.
In a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing climate change and enhancing resilience among vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities in the Lake Victoria Basin, eleven community groups from Siaya County have received essential support for climate-smart agriculture. This effort, led by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), focuses on empowering communities with sustainable agricultural practices to alleviate the negative impacts of climate change.
The selected community groups have been awarded solar-powered water pumps and incubators, with a total value of Sh. 3.5 million. During the handover ceremony, Eng. Hildah Luoga, Project Development Officer at LVBC, highlighted that these tools are expected to transform farming practices by improving irrigation access and boosting poultry production, which are critical components of sustainable agriculture in the region.
Eng. Luoga emphasized that climate change has resulted in erratic rainfall, extended droughts, and decreasing agricultural yields in the Lake Victoria Basin. The implementation of solar-powered water pumps is anticipated to enable farmers to irrigate their crops effectively, thus ensuring food security during dry periods. The provision of incubators is also expected to assist poultry farmers in improving hatch rates, thereby securing a consistent income and enhancing nutrition.
This program forms part of the more extensive “Adapting to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin” initiative, which is financed by the Adaptation Fund through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Eng. Luoga noted that the project boasts a total funding allocation of USD 5 million and is being executed across five East African nations: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Eng. Luoga described the project as a vital initiative targeted at strengthening the adaptive capacity of regional communities. Local beneficiaries expressed profound appreciation for the aid they have received, indicating that it will markedly enhance their livelihoods. Jane Achieng, a farmer from one of the supported groups, stated, “With this solar-powered pump, we will no longer depend solely on rainfall. We can now practice irrigation and grow crops all year round.”
The LVBC, an institution under the East African Community (EAC), plays a crucial role in the oversight of transboundary projects that tackle environmental sustainability, water resource management, and socio-economic development within the Lake Victoria Basin. This initiative is instrumental in incorporating climate-smart solutions like renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, aligning with Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and the broader objectives for climate resilience in East Africa.
The initiative by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission to support eleven community groups in Siaya County showcases a significant step towards enhancing climate-smart agriculture and the livelihoods of vulnerable groups. The introduction of solar-powered water pumps and incubators aims to combat adverse climate impacts, improve irrigation, and boost poultry production. Overall, this project aligns with broader efforts to build climate resilience across the East African region.
Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke
