Three-year project in Elnur, Kenya, funded by the 8x1000 tax contribution to the Italian State kicks off

Project funded by the ‘eight per thousand’ income tax contribution to the State.

The Camillian Disaster Service International (CADIS) Foundation launched in April a new project in Elnur sub-county, Wajir (Kenya) entitled "Towards sustainable development through food security and water supply." 
 

Elnur sub-county is an arid and semi-arid area (ASAL) affected by deep poverty, a lack of infrastructure, illiteracy (76 per cent) and chronic food insecurity exacerbated by recurrent and severe droughts. The local population has traditionally relied on pastoralism, but increasing climatic challenges are driving communities to diversify their livelihoods towards agriculture. The project aims to support around 3,000 households, focusing on the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
 

The initiative is promoted by CADIS International and CADIS Kenya, in collaboration with the Camillian Delegation of Kenya. This project marks the second phase, which focuses on long-term resilience intervention immediately after the short-term emergency intervention. 

Project Objectives

The overall objective is to reduce poverty and promote the long-term resilience of the Wajir community by improving food security and adapting to climate change. Its specific objectives are:
 

1. Equipping local farmers with skills in climate-smart agricultural technologies (Climate-Smart Agriculture – CSA).
2. Improving access to water for irrigation, domestic use and livestock watering.
3. Actively supporting farmers’ participation by providing them with means of production and on-farm advisory services.

Main Activities

The action plan spans a period of 36 months and comprises a number of interlinked macro-activities:

• Technical Preparation and Social Organisation: Carrying out baseline surveys and chemical analyses of soil and water. Organising seminars to mobilise the community and establishing working groups registered with social services.
• Training and Capacity Building (TOT): Conducting training workshops for 20 local operators (Training of Trainers – TOT) on smart farming techniques, soil, crop, water and livestock management, so that they can pass on this knowledge to the community.Water Infrastructure and Clean Energy:
• Carrying out geophysical surveys and drilling two solar-powered boreholes. Installation of water storage systems (elevated tanks) and efficient drip irrigation systems.
• Support for Agricultural Production: Fencing of two community plots of land and construction of agricultural storage facilities to prevent post-harvest losses. Preparation of nurseries and seedlings, and distribution of seeds and agricultural equipment to 300 beneficiaries.
• Mentoring and Entrepreneurship: Ongoing technical assistance in the field provided by experts through practical demonstrations of organic farming. Specific training on small business development, business plans and marketing strategies for selling their products.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuous monitoring with quarterly reports and the implementation of periodic evaluations (formative, interim and final).

Expected Results

The project aims to achieve tangible and measurable impacts within the community:

• 20 TOT farmers with advanced technical skills trained 300 farmers to become fully self-sufficient in applying sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural technologies.
• A constant and accessible supply of clean water for both human and animal consumption and for agricultural activities, reducing the current distances travelled often exceeding 30 km.
• Increased crop yields per household, crop diversification and a greater supply of food on the local market, reducing the current reliance on external humanitarian aid.
• Increased farmers’ household income through the sale of agricultural surpluses and a reduction in post-harvest losses thanks to dedicated storage facilities.
• Social Cohesion and Inclusion: Greater active inclusion of women (who have the highest illiteracy rates in the area) and young people in production and decision-making processes.

Sustainability Factors

The project has incorporated specific strategies to ensure the continuity of benefits even after its conclusion:

1. Economic and Financial Sustainability: The community actively participates by providing land and labour. Part of the proceeds from the sale of agricultural produce will be reinvested to independently fund future activities, supported by long-term collaboration agreements with the County Government.
2. Institutional Sustainability: CADIS has a long-standing presence in the area, which has enabled it to build a deep relationship of trust with village chiefs, local authorities and various tribal and religious groups, ensuring strong and enduring institutional support.
3. Socio-Cultural Sustainability: The methodologies employed respect the population’s emerging agricultural vocation. The emphasis on vocational training ensures that skills and technological infrastructure (such as solar systems and drip irrigation) remain a body of knowledge that can be fully managed independently by local beneficiaries.