Projects

Revitalizing West Pokot’s Landscapes

The TerraFund for AFR100 Project in West Pokot County is a transformative initiative aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, strengthening local livelihoods, and promoting sustainable land use practices. Through agroforestry, reforestation of natural forests, and assisted natural regeneration, the project is actively improving biodiversity, enhancing carbon sequestration, and restoring critical water catchment areas.

By rehabilitating lands prone to landslides and degradation, the project not only safeguards lives and livelihoods but also boosts soil fertility and crop yields. Furthermore, it creates employment opportunities by engaging local communities in tree planting, land restoration, and apiculture. Beekeeping, alongside the cultivation of Hass avocado and mango trees, offers diversified farm incomes while playing a crucial role in pollination and ecological balance

Sustainable Solutions for Long-Term Impact

Our project is more than just about planting trees—it’s about fostering resilience and prosperity. By targeting landslide-prone areas, we aim to prevent loss of lives and livelihoods while improving soil fertility to boost agricultural productivity.

We are also promoting apiculture (beekeeping) as a dual-purpose strategy for income generation and ecosystem health. Bees play a critical role in pollination, ensuring the success of fruit-bearing trees such as Hass avocado and mango, which further diversify farm incomes.

Our Commitment to Impact:

We are on a mission to restore 100 hectares of degraded landscapes, including

• 60 hectares of natural forests restored through reforestation and assisted natural regeneration.
• 40 hectares of farmland revived using sustainable agroforestry practices.
• 2% of natural forests rejuvenated using Assisted Natural Regeneration techniques

Driving Socio-Economic Development & Equity

The TerraFund project is not just about restoring land—it is about empowering people. Through participatory engagement at the county and community levels, the project ensures ownership and sustainability. Key partnerships with the West Pokot Deputy Governor, County Conservator of Forests, and County Director of Agriculture have strengthened implementation through informed decision-making on species selection, certified planting materials, and farmland locations.

1. Community Sensitization & Agroforestry Expansion

The project has successfully sensitized and engaged 1,454 farmers in agroforestry around Parua and Karas natural forest sites. Through open dialogue, farmers actively chose tree species suited to their regions. While mango trees were found unsuitable in certain areas, Hass avocado trees emerged as the preferred choice due to their market demand, nutritional value, and adaptability.

2. Farm Income Diversification

West Pokot farmers primarily rely on onion and maize farming. The project is introducing fruit trees as an additional income stream while promoting commercial beekeeping. Local farmers will be trained in modern apiary management and honey processing, shifting from traditional methods to an agribusiness-oriented approach. The introduction of Langstroth hives and centrifugal extractors will significantly boost honey yields and quality, further enhancing economic opportunities.

3. Strengthening Agricultural Extension Services

Farmers identified a gap in extension services, crucial for productivity improvement. Through collaboration with the County Agriculture and Forestry Departments, dedicated extension officers were assigned to the project areas, guiding farmers on:

4. Leveraging Technology for Transparency & Efficiency

The project incorporates the Flority App and Greenhouse Web App for real-time geospatial monitoring of nurseries, restoration sites, and agroforestry activities. During the review period:

5. Gender & Youth Inclusion

The project is committed to social equity by actively involving women and youth. Some groups were reconstituted to ensure better female representation, overcoming barriers such as limited education and smartphone ownership. Women participants influenced tree species selection, favoring Hass avocado and Grevillea/cypress trees, which cater to both household nutrition and fuelwood needs.

PACJA has seconded two female team leaders to spearhead project implementation, reinforcing its commitment to gender-responsive land restoration.

Addressing Local Community Priorities

Following devastating floods and landslides, the project has worked with communities to implement sustainable land management solutions to mitigate future disasters.

1. Preventing Landslides

Through awareness campaigns and technical training, farmers have adopted best soil conservation practices, including:

These interventions are reducing soil erosion, stabilizing slopes, and protecting livelihoods.

2. Securing Project Buy-In at All Levels

Ensuring stakeholder engagement was critical to project success. Government leaders and community opinion shapers were thoroughly briefed on project goals, ensuring alignment with Kenya’s 15-billion-tree reforestation campaign by 2032.

Community feedback led to tree species adjustments, with mango trees being reduced and Hass avocado & Grevillea robusta trees increasing due to their economic and ecological benefits.

Pathways to Success

We are achieving our goals through: