Promoting farming in Kenya has a positive impact on people and the environment
At the beginning of her stay in Kenya, our expert volunteer Martina witnessed how goat farming is becoming an additional source of income and food for local farmers and women farmers. However, supporting farming in Kenya is not the only activity she is involved in. With the local organisation COBEC, he also focuses on supporting the local community through education and adaptation to climate change.
Volunteering has given me the opportunity not only to get to know the people on the coast of Kenya better, but also to use my expertise to help improve their lives.
Expert volunteer Martina
Climate crisis affects even the most vulnerable
In poor areas on the coast of Kenya, people depend on farming. But because of climate change, it is more challenging than ever. Locals and residents, especially women, mostly grow maize, but this requires a lot of water. The lack of a rainy season and prolonged drought have caused crop shortages, and the poorest people in the Kilifi area are the most affected. That is why it is important to develop projects that focus on supporting male and female farmers.
Local women are the key to change
The training takes place in different groups – local people interested in the environment, volunteers, volunteers, schools or women’s groups. Regular visits are made to schools to educate children about ecology, nature or tree planting in special interest clubs. One of the most important groups is women. They are often the ones who can make a difference – they decide what crops are planted, how natural resources are used or how cooking is done. Together with local NGOs, we are trying to talk to them about ways to use natural resources more sustainably and to ensure the long-term sustainability of their farming activities. At the same time, we are looking for projects that develop agroforestry, planting of diversified crops and new sources of income for farmers and women farmers in Kenya.
Development activities for sustainable change
We are meeting with several organizations on the coast and looking for ways to help local farmers and ranchers. The answer is always very similar: poor people depend on natural resources and, unfortunately, many times they have no other choice and use them in an unsustainable way. What is more, they do not have the education and the courage to start doing things in a different way. However, if we provide them with the necessary education and help them to develop income-generating activities, we will ultimately help not only them, but also the environment.
If poor men and women farmers can easily grow crops without depending on rain and have a steady income, they will no longer have a reason to destroy nature.
Expert volunteer Martina
