Northern Kenya

Garissa launches agro-pastoralist programme to improve lives, food security

Crop and livestock farmers attend the launch of the BREFONS programme in Garissa County on July 1, 2024. (Photo: Issa Hussein/EV)

By Issa Hussein | Monday, July 1, 2024

The BREFONS programme aims to improve living conditions and food and nutrition security in Kenya and the Horn of Africa region.

A programme was launched on Monday to strengthen the resilience of the agro-pastoralist production system in Garissa County as part of efforts to improve lives and ensure food security.

The Build Resilience for Food and Nutrition Security in the Horn of Africa (BREFONS) programme is a national government project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

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It is part of a multi-national programme covering Djibuti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan and targets Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, and West Pokot, which are classified as Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).

Abdullahi Omar, the Garissa county coordinator for the BREFONS programme, said its overall objective is to help improve living conditions and food and nutrition security in Kenya and the Horn of Africa region.

Abdullahi explained that the project has many components including mapping degraded areas for restoration and livestock routes.

“The construction of four water pans, four boreholes, four shallow wells, and four sub-surface dams, the rehabilitation and expansion of small-scale irrigation schemes, and the construction and upgrading of three livestock markets, which will also be combined with disease surveillance activities, were part of the project,” he said.

He also mentioned the establishment of four fodder banks for hay storage at individual and community levels.

The programme coordinator further highlighted a demonstration of range re-seeding for pasture rehabilitation in communal grazing lands and the training of youth and women in the manufacture, application, and maintenance of bio-digesters and solar systems.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama is pictured with BREFONS officials during the launch of the programme in the county on July 1, 2024. (Photo: Issa Hussein/EV)

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, who was the chief guest at the launch, said the project was timely as crop and livestock farmers were facing challenges of climate change. He also cited the need to increase productivity and create job opportunities for the youth and women.

Nathif further said the initiative would build resilience and improve living conditions at the household level.

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabodza called for community participation in the implementation of the programme, while Kenya Livestock Marketing Council chair Dubat Ali Amey noted that if successfully implemented, the programme would significantly enhance food security in the county.

“Crop and livestock farmers are facing threats from extreme climate shocks. Such programmes, which help to strengthen their resilience, are long-awaited,” he said.