Title: Rehabilitation of Rangelands through Grass Re-seeding in Turkana
County
Category: Crop
Country: Kenya
Audience: Extension Agents, NGOs, Pastoralists and Farmers
Introduction
Turkana County is a vast arid and semi-arid region situated in Northern Kenya covering an area of about
77,000 km2. The County is characterized by warm and hot climate where temperatures range between 20ºC
and 41ºC with a mean of 30.5ºC. The County receives an annual rainfall of between 52 mm and 480 mm with
a mean of 200 mm. The rainfall pattern and distribution is erratic and unreliable. Majority of the
inhabitants of Turkana County are traditionally nomadic pastoralists tending to sedentary lifestyle, and
depend on livestock for their livelihood. The County has over time been heavily degraded due to natural
and human induced factors including; overgrazing caused by large livestock herds, overexploitation of
woodland resources as a result of ready market for charcoal and fuelwood at Kakuma refugee camp, which
is situated in the County. In addition, the County is prone to dust storms, floods and soil erosion,
depriving the rangelands of vegetation cover and grass seedbank. Rehabilitation of rangelands through
grass re-seeding is necessary to increasing grass seed stocks in the soil so as to guarantee grass
pasture for livestock. In addition grass; acts as excellent soil erosion control and dust stabilization
media, improves water infiltration, and increases rangelands productivity. Grass re-seeding technology
has been successfully demonstrated in Pelekech, Turkana County.
Objective
- To improve fodder availability throughout the year
- To control soil erosion and dust storms
- To improve livelihoods by sustaining community enterprises
Approach
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) in partnership with Japan Overseas Forestry Consultants
Association (JOFCA) in 2008 introduced integrated rehabilitation technologies in Pelekech as a way of
involving community in rehabilitation efforts. Of the rehabilitation technologies demonstrated, grass
re-seeding was widely adopted by the community. The following approach was used:
- The practice was promoted through Farmer Field School (FFS) methodology. The community was first
sensitized on the importance of forming a group to undertake the activity, hence the formation of
Pelekech Environmental Group (PEG). The Group comprised 10 men and 30 women who were drawn from all
villages in Pelekech. Men were to offer security, while women were to undertake the grass re-seeding
work.
- The FFS was integrated with field visits to other areas where the practice had been established.
Site selection was done in a participatory manner. The initial demonstration site was established in
a 3 ha field with grass seed of Cenchrus ciliaris (African foxtail grass) sourced from neighbouring
Baringo County. Cenchrus ciliaris was selected based on its; high palatability, drought tolerance,
deep roots, high biomass production, rapid response to little moisture, resistance to constant
grazing, and ability to control soil erosion
- Land preparation involved construction of micro-catchment structures for soil and water
conservation. Fencing was done as a priority to prevent livestock from accessing the plot.
- Grass seeds were then broadcasted in the field just before the onset of rains. As Cenchrus ciliaris
seed is small, a thin layer of soil was spread to prevent broadcasted seeds from being carried away
by wind. Grass seeds germinated after two weeks of broadcasting.
- Grass seeds were harvested two months after broadcasting and stored for planting and sale. Grass
seeds should be harvested after rains and before onset of drought to avoid seeds being blown away by
the wind.
- The grass was harvested at intervals of two weeks and stored as hay.
- Key rangeland tree species were integrated or conserved within the plot as nurse trees.
- Maintenance involves: frequent inspection and sustaining an intact fence by constant repairs using
Acacia nubica branches, a species which is common and readily available in the area; re-ploughing
and re-planting of bare areas each season to ensure sustained productivity; pruning over grown trees
in the field which might shade the grass; and removing invasive plant species.
Impact
- Increased availability of pasture grass for livestock sustenance throughout the year
- Reduced livestock loss and increased marketing bargaining power during the drought season
- Protection of key indigenous plant species in the rangelands such as Acacia tortilis, Acacia
senegal, Balanites spp., Cordia sinensis, Acacia mellifera, Aloe spp. both within and adjacent to
the rehabilitation plot
- Soil erosion and dust control
- Increased plant biodiversity
- Ensured management of invasiveness of Prosopis juliflora
- Improved livelihood of the community through socio-economic gains such as sale of grass seeds, hay,
honey and aloe bitter gum
- Reduced dependency on food aid
- Influenced sedentary lifestyle which has enabled community engagement in other social activities
such as education
- Improved aesthetic value of land
Sustainability
- Dissemination and replication of the practice by communities in areas with ecological conditions
similar to that of Pelekech
- Application of cut and carry method as opposed to free range to check overgrazing
- Availability of grass seeds and market for hay
Innovation
- The community has introduced beekeeping due to the enhanced biodiversity
- Establishment and conservation of aloe in rocky areas of the plot
Constraints
- Constant monitoring to check unauthorised access
- Frequent repairs of the perimeter fence
- Damage to the fields by wild animals such as rodents
Lessons
- Rehabilitation efforts that improve or diversity community livelihood are likely to succeed
- Sustainable management and utilization of locally available natural resources can reduce dependency
on aid
Conclusion
Grass re-seeding is a viable technology that provides both ecological and socio-economic benefits to
communities in arid and semi-arid areas.
