Narok: The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation in Narok County hosted a high-level close-out meeting to mark the conclusion of the Integrated and Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralists Economies and Landscapes (ICSIAPL) project, implemented in 2021.
According to Kenya News Agency, the meeting brought together officials from SNV Netherlands Development Organization, farmers, development partners, and other stakeholders to reflect on the achievements, lessons learned, and sustainability of the project's interventions. Funded by the European Union through its first delegated cooperation with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS), the ICSIAPL project was implemented in partnership with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).
The initiative targeted the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Narok, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta counties, aiming to strengthen agro-pastoralist livelihoods through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable landscape management, and the commercialization of innovative agricultural technologies. Narok CECM for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Joyce Keshe, acknowledged the project's impact on the ground, highlighting improvements in forage production and livestock husbandry among local communities.
'We are truly grateful for the transformative role SNV has played in empowering our farmers and pastoralists,' said Keshe. 'The project's focus on climate-smart solutions has not only enhanced productivity but has also laid a strong foundation for sustainability and resilience in our agricultural systems,' he added.
SNV's team lead, Julius Rono, shared similar views, underscoring the collaborative spirit and community ownership that has driven the project's success in the County. 'Over the last three years, we have witnessed remarkable progress in technology dissemination, business innovation, and integrated landscape management,' said Rono. 'We are proud of the impact made, especially in advancing gender equity and social inclusion, and we are confident that the structures built will endure beyond our exit,' he said.
Among the key achievements of the ICSIAPL project were the successful dissemination of agricultural technologies, implementation of forage-based trials, business innovation support, integrated landscape management initiatives, and the development of gender and social inclusion frameworks. Discussions during the close-out meeting highlighted the need for continuity, with stakeholders agreeing that all groups previously supported under SNV's ICSIAPL project would be transitioned into ongoing support structures under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).
This move is expected to enhance the sustainability of interventions and expand their impact across Narok County and beyond. The ICSIAPL project has left a lasting footprint in the ASAL counties, contributing significantly to Kenya's broader climate adaptation goals while advancing food security and economic empowerment in rural communities.