AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Programme Co-ordinator:  Mrs. Daisy Rono
 

The Agriculture and Rural Development Programme (ARDP) emanated from the Drought Rehabilitation Programme that was formed after the devastating drought and famine of 1984. The Programme was started in the administrative districts of Nakuru, Baringo, Koibatek, Kericho, Bomet and Buret. These districts were all under the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru until 1996 when Kericho Diocese was created. Under the new arrangement, the Kericho Diocese now covers, Kericho, Bomet and Buret districts while Nakuru Diocese covers, Nakuru, Baringo and Koibatek Districts. Despite this splitting the ARDP continues to operate in both Dioceses.

ARDP MISSION

The mission of the Programme is to enhance sustainable livelihood of the resource poor farmer groups and communities through participatory processes that focus on mobilization and optimum utilization of locally available resources.

ARDP  AIM

The Programme aims at enhancing sustainable livelihood or resource poor groups and communities in the Catholic Dioceses of Nakuru and Kericho for improved living standards.
 

ARDP OBJECTIVES

• To develop and build the capacity of target farmer groups and communities.
• To promote food security, enhance sustainable livelihoods and facilitate the alleviation of poverty.
• To enhance the financial and physical assets of target farmer groups and communities through the provision of credit facilities necessary for the development, improved income and creation of other livelihood.
• To enhance the natural resource base assets of target groups and communities for sustainable development.
   

ARDP TARGET GROUPS

Since its inception, the ARDP focuses on small-scale farmer target groups at community level. These are the resource poor groups and communities whose living standards need to be improved. The main focus is empowerment of these target farming communities through capacity building and promotion of savings and credit schemes.
 

ARDP ACTIVITIES/STRATEGIES

Training and education

The programme provides training and education to target farmer groups and communities so as to:

Promotion of food security

 The main aim is to facilitate alleviation of poverty and help households get enough food .

Focus areas include :-

• Facilitate acquisition of household food self-reliance of the target groups/communities.
• Facilitate development of income generating activities to promote the development of increased family income of the target farmer groups and communities.
• Enhance nutrition and health of households.

Revolving fund

The establishment and management of a Farmer/User Revolving Fund, from which access to credit by the target population groups is realized.

Promotion of model sustainable farmers

Focus areas include;

• Encouragement of use of organic fertilizers and nutrients recycling aimed at soil fertility improvement.
• Encouragement of inter-cropping and crop rotations to minimize pests and disease occurrences.
• Encouragement of deep digging where appropriate for maximum use of nutrients in the soil.
• Encouragement of integrated pest and disease management including biological control to avoid pollution of the environment.

Soil and Water Conservation

The Programme focuses on :-

• Establishment of fruit and tree nurseries for the purpose of production of planting materials.
• Promotion of tree planting through agro forests and afforrestation
• Provision of fruit and tree seedlings to target farmer groups and communities.
• Encouragement of terrace construction and maintenance.

Livestock Production

Focus areas are: -

• Promotion of zero grazing units for high milk production
• Promotion of Dairy Goats for milk production
• Encouragement of bee-keeping projects in dry areas (Baringo, Koibatek and Bomet)
• Encouragement of Sheep Production (Dorper Sheep)

Animation

The Programme has the support of 45 Animators who work with target farmer groups and communities. They mobilize, encourage and guide their own communities/groups in their agricultural activities.

The Programme focuses on target farmer groups as the beginning of rural development.

Income generating Projects/Activities

The Programme encourages target farmer groups to start and maintain income-generating projects/activities.

          1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

 

OUR  MISSION: To Promote Pastoral & Human Development through Evangelization & Community Mobilization