Laikipia Forum in partnership with ILMAMUSI Community Forest Association and conservation partners in the past weeks engaged with community representatives of Mayianat, Kuri Kuri , Il Ngwesi and Lekuruki Conservancies to deliberate and establish key project activities that will be implemented under the FAO Forest Restoration Initiative program.
These strategic meetings took place at the ILMAMUSI and the Kiwanja Ndege County Development Fund offices highlighted the priority issues within the communities for consideration in the next round of funding support from FAO/GEF.
Priority activities include the restoration of 93 ha of land through removal of the invasive species, with a focus on Opuntia Stricta. This initiative would also involve reseeding of the hectares treated on Makurian and Kuri Kuri lands.
Community members within the Mukogodo landscape also agreed that as a follow up to the previous project there should be continued micro catchment establishment and reseeding of land in Il Ngwesi and Lekurruki lands.
Community members also made a request to have 24 Ha of land in Il Ngwesi and Makurian (Maiyanat) conservancies planted with hay for livestock feed during the dry season and indigenous trees planted around the hay farms.
The Dupoto Bee Keepers Cooperative Business Plan is as to operationalized and improved marketing structures established to support sales and a brand package for the Cooperative
4 water infrastructure projects are to be rehabilitated, and water management committees formed and trained on their management. There was a proposal to improve in particular, WASH governance and capacity within the landscape for 15 water projects, and 4 WRUAs around the Mukogodo Landscape.
Development projects go nowhere unless they are directed and led by communities and their representatives. We all talk about sustainability, and the only way to ensure ownership and responsibility for these community projects is through this engagement in their planning and budgeting. Gone are the days when others decide what is best for communities. These efforts require time and resources, and we invite others to join us in this process.
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