The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Irrigation in Narok County convened a high-level close-out meeting to mark the conclusion of the Integrated & Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralists Economies and Landscapes (ICSIAPL) project, which was implemented in 2021.
The event brought together officials from SNV Netherlands Development Organization, farmers, development partners, and other key stakeholders to review the project’s achievements, lessons learned, and strategies for ensuring the sustainability of its interventions.
Funded by the European Union through its first delegated cooperation with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS), the ICSIAPL project was executed in partnership with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO). The initiative targeted arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Narok, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta counties to strengthen agro-pastoralist livelihoods through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable landscape management, and the commercialization of innovative agricultural technologies.
Narok County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Joyce Keshe, commended the project’s tangible impact, highlighting its contributions to improved forage production and livestock husbandry among local communities. “We are truly grateful for the transformative role SNV has played in empowering our farmers and pastoralists,” said Keshe. “The project’s focus on climate-smart solutions has not only enhanced productivity but has also laid a strong foundation for sustainability and resilience in our agricultural systems.”
Julius Rono, SNV’s team lead, reaffirmed these remarks, emphasizing the collaborative approach and community engagement that underpinned the project’s success in the county.
“Over the last three years, we have witnessed remarkable progress in technology dissemination, business innovation, and integrated landscape management,” stated Rono. “We are proud of the impact made, particularly in advancing gender equity and social inclusion, and we are confident that the structures established will endure beyond our exit.”
Key achievements of the ICSIAPL project included the dissemination of agricultural technologies, implementation of forage-based trials, business innovation support, integrated landscape management initiatives, and the development of gender and social inclusion frameworks.
Discussions during the close-out meeting underscored the importance of continuity, with stakeholders agreeing that all groups previously supported under SNV’s ICSIAPL initiative would be transitioned into ongoing support structures under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP). This transition is anticipated to enhance the long-term sustainability of interventions and amplify their impact across Narok County and neighbouring regions.
The ICSIAPL project has established a lasting legacy in Kenya’s ASAL counties, making significant contributions to national climate adaptation objectives while advancing food security and economic empowerment in rural communities.
