The challenge of climate change has been recognized as a major threat to life on planet Earth. While many nations are looking at different ways to address the problem, the same level of urgency is only beginning to be seen in Africa.
In Kenya, the last four years (2019 -2023) have presented the people with a painful demonstration of climate change.
Due to the lack of rainfall, food production has fallen drastically, leaving over 4 million Kenyans facing hunger. The government has had to import 200 billion shillings worth of food – money that could have gone to other critical needs. Over 2 million livestock died in 2022 alone. The incidence of conflict between communities has increased, mostly as they fight over scarce resources like water and pasture.
What is CAPYEI doing about it?
CAPYEI has now started creating training programs that give youth the skills to play a role in climate change efforts even as they earn a living.
This begins with Climate-smart agriculture. As described in our GREEN SKILLS POLICY, CAPYEI recognizes that the heavy lifting for Climate change mitigation in Africa will have to be done by Farmers.
But there is a problem.
Farmers are a rapidly disappearing population. The average age of a farmer in Africa is 60. They will soon be gone. The only solution is to encourage as many youths as possible to engage in farming. CAPYEI does this by training and supporting youth to secure employment in this important sector. There are many opportunities to earn a good living from agriculture and we can show you how.
In addition, CAPYEI has now started creating training programs that give youth the skills to play a role in climate change efforts even as they earn a living.
This begins with Climate-smart agriculture.
As an example, if you come to our Demo Farm in Oljororok you will see us
practicing some of the following climate-friendly agriculture methods:
1. Reduced inorganic fertilizer application:
Chemical-based fertilizer has
become very scarce and expensive. Overuse of these inputs reduces the
the capacity of soils to hold carbon and can be wasteful when applied in excess.
At the CAPYEI Demo Farm, we produce high-quality organic fertilizer and also train farmers on its use.
At CAPYEI conserve by using drip irrigation and mulching paper or straw.
2. Reduced tillage:
Frequent and heavy tilling increases the rate of carbon dioxide released from the soil. It also breaks up soil structure which can lead to erosion. Regenerative tillage, or no tillage at all, preserves water and soil quality.
It also increases crop yield.
3. Dual cropping:
Dual planting increases plant diversity by growing 2 or more
crops close together to benefit not just the crops but also the soil. Dual cropping can also be used to help with organic pest control.
At the Demo farm we do dual with sunflower, spring onions and other corps.
The spring onions help in controlling pests.
The sunflowers provide nectar for bees and the seeds distract birds from eating the strawberry.
Dual-cropping
Tree nursery
4. Reforestation and agroforestry:
Planting trees and hedges to increase
green cover, biodiversity, and positively influence microclimates. Integrating
crop farming with trees to improve productivity and increase farmer income.
At CAPYEI we have planted many trees and hedges. We are also
intercropping fruit trees with other crops.
5. Where land is scarce:
As in urban areas, it is possible to use different technologies
for crop growing in a sustainable climate-friendly.
The examples we demonstrate at the Demo farm include hydroponics, grow pipes, multi-story gardens, grow bags, and many others.
Hydroponics
Multi-storey garden
6. Social and Green enterprise training:
This is a course offered to youth to help them convert their ideas for agriculture and climate change into a growing business that earns them a living even as they play an important role in saving the planet.
Youth learning Social and Green Entrepreneurship
7. Immersion: In CAPYEI we believe that the best way to teach is by showing. We do
this by organizing field visits to Farmers, including our own farm, and by arranging
mentorship sessions where the youth and farmers receive critical advice from
specialists. You can book a visit to our farm or training centers by contacting us.
Manufacturing organic fertilizer
Our Commitment to young people
You can do well by doing good:
The most successful business people are those who solve the biggest problems for most people.
We can teach you how. There are no bigger problems today than feeding the nation; employing our youth and saving the World from Climate disasters.
But, these problems are also opportunities for young people. For instance, there is no bigger opportunity to build a business in Kenya today than in agriculture.
Kenya has good land; the youth have the energy and ideas and our population is a captive market of 50 MILLION PEOPLE THAT MUST BE FED EVERY DAY.
What are you waiting for?
