SOIL CONSERVATION

Original Report

PROPOSAL ON SOIL CONSERVATION TRAINING FOR RESIDENTS OF KIAMBU DISTRICT,
KENYA


SUBMITTED TO: …………………………………


SUBMITTED BY:

Vision welfare group
P.O BOX 811 00219
KARURI
EMAIL:allymac67@yahoo.com
TEL: 0721-859057


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….2
Background ……………………………………………………………………………4
Statement of Problem…… ……………………………………………….………….5
Objectives of Study and Hypothesis…..……………………………….……………5
Scope…………………………………………………………………….……………….5
Methodology……………………………………………………….…………….……...6
Expected Outcome … … ………………………………………….…………………..6
Expected Limitations………………………………………………….……….…...…6

List of Annexes
Annex 1: Tentative Work Plan.….… …… …………………… ……….………….7
Annex 2: Tentative Budget.…………………………………………………….……8


















1.0 INTRODUCTION
Panuka community empowerment programme was formed early 2008, under Ministry of Gender and Social services number DSS/KBU/24907. The study is in Kiambu which is located in Kenya, one of the eastern Africa bordering the Indian Ocean between Somalia and Tanzania. The following are the planned activities
Sanitary towels distribution in local schools targeting the girl child
Jiggers eradications in both local schools and homes in Kiambu district
Tree planting in Kiambu District were mostly soil has been eroded.
HIV/AIDS awareness, to interior places were there is less awareness.
Sensitizing the public on issues to deal with boy child in both local schools and homes.
The following are the objectives of the group.
To enlighten the public on dangers of jiggers and ringworms.
To boost the girl child confidence by ensuring that all girls are able to access hygienic and decent sanitary towels.
To eradicate poverty
To improve the ecosystems of arid and semi arid areas.
To sensitize the public on issues dealing with the boy child e.g. molestation.
To create awareness on HIV/AIDS through counselling and capacity building.
To assist in establishing partnership between members with the public and government departments.

The group has managed to
Train teachers and children in Kiambu remand home on basic entrepreneurial skills.
Commence on our first major activity, i.e. jiggers and ringworms eradication and also Sanitary towels for poor girls in schools
Established our head office in Kiambu town
Members have being empowered through various trainings
2.0 BACKGROUND
Kiambu is considered to be generally sloppy, with slopes ranging from 2% to 35% .A slope of 12% and above is considered to require conservation. Most of the land consists of coffee plantation and small scale farms of about 0.3ha. The general PH of soils in Kiambu is 4.2-5.8

Fertility rates reduce from the upper forest sides, down to lower Kiambaa and Municipality. Most farms in the municipality have been sub-divided into small portions of up to 0.3Ha leading to mono-cropping which negatively affects the soil fertility.
Soil conservation is set of management strategies for prevention of soil being eroded from the earth’s surface or becoming chemically altered by overuse, salinization, acidification, or other chemical soil contamination. The principal approaches these strategies take are: Choice of vegetative cover, Erosion prevention, Salinity management, Acidity control, Encouraging health of beneficial soil organisms, Prevention and remediation of soil contamination, Mineralization.
Other ways are include: no till farming, contour plowing, wind rows, crop rotation, the use of natural and man-made fertilizer and resting the land.
The measures currently used by the Ministry of Agriculture for soil management in Kiambu include:
Soil fertility management
Agro forestry
Water harvesting
Soil conservation works





3.0 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Some farmers have cleared the natural bushes and planted eucalyptus. Approximately, 15 Ha have been cleared. The effect of this is lowering the water table leading to desertification. The trees also make the land unfavorable for other crops to grow.

Most farms in the municipality have been sub-divided into small portions of up to 0.3Ha leading to mono-cropping which negatively affects the soil fertility. Farmers lack knowledge on appropriate methods organic waste decomposition.

There is need for sensitization on proper soil management and conservation measures among farmers and residents of Kiambu. KARI had conducted a program in Githunguri in the 1990’s called FED which was about Soil fertility. Many farmers were involved and the outcome was successful. Our proposed intervention on soil conservation training in Kiambu shall be instrumental in contribution towards improved land practices and farming methods.

4.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
To sensitize farmers and residents on the importance of proper soil conservation measures
To train farmers and residents on appropriate soil conservation measures
To contribute towards one of the MDGs of protection and conservation of the environment.

5.0 SCOPE
The study is in Kiambu which is located in Kenya. Kenya is located in East Africa bordering the Indian Ocean between Somalia and Tanzania, covering an area of 582,650Km2 and with population of 34 million. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi with a population of 2.14 million. Kiambu is divided into Kiambu East and Kiambu West districts and they are located in Central province.

The training is targeting approximately 500 farmers from Kiambu districts. The training shall comprise of a theory session and a demonstration session. We shall also carry out an impact assessment six months after the training. The project duration is one year.

6.0 METHODOLOGY
Situational analysis. This shall involve gathering data on rainfall patterns, soil type, land practices, topographical characteristics, hydrology, e.t.c
Capacity assessment through informant interviews
Invitation of various stakeholders
Developing a training schedule. This shall be in two parts: Theory and demonstration.
Carrying out an impact assessment after six months

7.0 EXPECTED OUTCOMES
1. Better understanding of the various soil conservation measures by the attendants.
2. Improved land practices.
3. Improved soil quality

8.0 EXPECTED LIMITATIONS
Insufficient funds to train a larger number of people in Kiambu
Possible language barrier between trainers and some participants



9.0 LIST OF ANNEXES

ANNEX 1: TENTATIVE WORKPLAN


 


M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9
 


 


 


 


























ANNEX 2: TENTATIVE BUDGET


S/NO DESCRIPTION UNIT QTY COST TOTAL

1
Training costs:
Covers training materials, venue, Participants’ meals, facilitator’s charges
Person
500
8,000
400,000
2 Sensitization through media
Item 20,000


3 Purchase of tree seedlings
No
1000  100 100,000

4 Project administration & impact assessment costs
Months 9
15,000
135,000

5 Contingency 50,000

GRAND TOTAL

705,000

Credibility:     

0