United Nations Earth Summit+5 Success Stories - Wambuli Micro - Farm Management Project

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
SUCCESS STORIES FROM AFRICA

Wambuli Micro - Farm Management Project.

Location The programme is located in Wambuli Sub-Location, Tulimani Division, Makueni District, Kenya.

Responsible organization Members of the Wambuli Community.

Description Wambuli Macro-Farm Management Project is a self-help group consisting of about 100 members, most of them women. It applies grassroot popular participation approach in the conservation of biological diversity through afforestation, soil and water conservation and capacity building for sustainable development.

Issues addressed Self sufficiency of the Wambuli Community in food water and environmental conservation.

Objectives Initiate individual ownership of nursery plots. Monitor and manage planted trees to ensure the improvement of biodiversity within the community. Harvest water for quality water supply for the community at an affordable distance as well as for local environmental restoration. Conserve soil activities through construction of bench terraces and gibbons. Participatory training programme relevant to on-going activities. Promote traditional foods to help curb food insecurity.

Results achieved Sensitized community about meaningful development towards self-reliance/sufficiency. Achieved community food security: there has been no food relief since 1994. As the tree planting culture evolved, the community continued to plant exotic trees to provide wood, shelter and conserve soil. The target now is to shift to planting indigenous trees.

Lessons learned Natural environmental setting is not a deterrent factor. A location which was nearly desert like with people relying on food aid annually, is now self-sustained in food, water, and boasts a green environment.

Financing Self help, GTZ, 1991 - 92. Last two years (1994 - 1996), Wambuli Micro-Farm Management Project was supported for its tree nursery programme by GEF.
Contact David Mbithi, Chairman Wambuli Micro-Farm Project P.O Box 22265 - Nairobi - Tel. 254 2 545216

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Last updated 1 November 1997

	Wambuli Micro - Farm Management Project.
	Location	The programme is located in Wambuli Sub-Location, Tulimani Division, Makueni District, Kenya.
	Responsible organization	Members of the Wambuli Community.
	Description	Wambuli Macro-Farm Management Project is a self-help group consisting of about 100 members, most of them women. It applies grassroot popular participation approach in the conservation of biological diversity through afforestation, soil and water conservation and capacity building for sustainable development.
	Issues addressed	Self sufficiency of the Wambuli Community in food water and environmental conservation.
	Objectives	Initiate individual ownership of nursery plots. Monitor and manage planted trees to ensure the improvement of biodiversity within the community. Harvest water for quality water supply for the community at an affordable distance as well as for local environmental restoration. Conserve soil activities through construction of bench terraces and gibbons. Participatory training programme relevant to on-going activities. Promote traditional foods to help curb food insecurity.
	Results achieved	Sensitized community about meaningful development towards self-reliance/sufficiency. Achieved community food security: there has been no food relief since 1994. As the tree planting culture evolved, the community continued to plant exotic trees to provide wood, shelter and conserve soil. The target now is to shift to planting indigenous trees.
	Lessons learned	Natural environmental setting is not a deterrent factor. A location which was nearly desert like with people relying on food aid annually, is now self-sustained in food, water, and boasts a green environment.
	Financing	Self help, GTZ, 1991 - 92. Last two years (1994 - 1996), Wambuli Micro-Farm Management Project was supported for its tree nursery programme by GEF.
	Contact	David Mbithi, Chairman Wambuli Micro-Farm Project P.O Box 22265 - Nairobi - Tel. 254 2 545216