Author: dev

A survey was carried out in August to identify gaps on livestock production in the landscape. A Baseline report was developed and validated by county and government expert. During the process a curriculum and training manuals were also developed.

The curriculum consists of four modules which are:

1. Feeding and breeding;
2. Animal health and livestock marketing;
3. Climate change and rangelands;
4. Leadership and governance.

After the curriculum validation, NRTT enrolled 300 herders for capacity-building trainings from ten NRT conservancies on better production practices. NRTT has adopted the pastoralists’ field school approach. The approach engages herders in questions and answers sessions. The training focuses on supporting herders gather sufficient depth and gain practical skills in cattle production, with the aim of:

1. Organizing herder structures and improving access to information and coordination of livestock health and husbandry;
2. Improving productivity and competitiveness of livestock supply;
3. Strengthening market linkages and information.

“At NRTT livestock department, we sensitize pastoralists through training on proper breed selection, supplemental feeding, participatory rangeland management, disease reporting and access to livestock inputs. We work with NRT community conservancies because they form a trusted institution where we can train pastoralists to form leverage for the people within the landscape.” Dr. Wario Sake Sori, Livestock Director, NRT Trading.

During one of the training sessions at Sera Conservancy, thirty trainees said they were happy with the first module training. The training will help them maintain and increase their livestock, and they will gladly share the skills gained with other community members.

“I am happy to be part of the NRTT herders training. Before the training, I thought I understood everything about livestock farming since I grew up as a pastoralist girl, and now I am a grandmother. NRTT has completely changed my opinion through their trainings. After just a few classes, I have learned many new and great things about livestock farming. I have learned about improving cattle breeds to improve milk and meat production. I have learned about selecting good cows in the market using scoring techniques which I am trained on. I will share the skills gained with other community members in my conservancy and beyond.” Jelina Lekiluai, herders training trainee.

Delivery of the modules started on January 2022 and will be going on for three years to deliver four modules to 300 herders in ten NRT conservancies.

Rapasi Henry Naiputar is 38 years old and has a big family to support. He is one of the hundreds of people who are benefiting from tourism in Northern Kenya. He is a community member of Koija, Naibunga Lower Conservancy, and works as a chef in Koija Starbeds.

Working in a self-catering facility, Rapasi has to be very innovative; prepare delicious meals and great drinks using the ingredients that the guests bring to the camp. From this experiences Rapasi has learnt basic bush cooking crafts, a skill that he wants to advance.

The Koija Starbeds are very special; they are on a raised platform overlooking the mighty Ewaso Nyiro River; and the landscape beyond. The room is partly covered by a thatch roof   which rests the weirdest sleeping contraption you’re ever likely to encounter. The double beds can be wheeled out into the open for a night of sleeping in the open air under the twinkling stars, safely cloaked in a big mosquito net. The owners and indeed hosts of the starbeds are the local Laikipia Maasai.

“Our visitors will enjoy elephants escort, nature walks, hiking, fishing (bring own equipment), camel treks, and cultural immersions as some of the wonderful moments to reckon. I encourage people to come and visit Koija Starbeds.” says, Rapasi.

Rapasi adds that he gets excited when he meets the demands of his guests. He hopes that one day he will go back to school and gain more skills in cooking.

The tourism sector in Northern Kenya is a source of income for hundreds of community members directly and indirectly.

The NRT Trading tourism department supports NRT community conservancies to earn a living; they support the community members to develop and market tourism products. Koija starbeds in Naibunga Lower Conservancy is one of the community Conservancy projects that they support.

Northern Rangelands Savings and Credit Cooperative (NR SACCO) held its Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM) at Kalama Conservancy in Samburu County on Thursday 28^th April 2022. Among those in attendance were Said Roba, Isiolo County Auditor, and Ture Boru, Chief Economic Programs Officer, NRT Trading.

During the meeting, members were updated about the SACCOS’s growth since its inception in 2016; and were very excited because of the tremendous growth. According to Ture Boru, Chief Economic Programs officer of NRT Trading, despite COVID-19 challenges, NR SACCO has continued to provide business capital to communities, unlike most financial institutions that suppressed lending to businesses in 2020. Through this support, the SACCO has seen tremendous growth from 300 members in 2016 to the current 5400.

“The Sacco strides to see a change in the narrative around local communities by helping them achieve a productive, self-reliant future through income diversification and growth in remote regions. The total loans disbursed to finance 3,060 enterprises since 2016 stand at KSh. 103.8 million (USD 1 million) by the close of 2020, while the savings and shares mobilized were KSh. 10.8 million (USD 10,000).” Noted Ture Boru.

Out of the 80 registered SACCOS in Isiolo County, the NR SACCO has been recognized as the leading SACCO in savings in 2021, with a closing savings of Kshs 167.8 Million in assets and cash from the Kshs.119M in 2020, making it a 41% growth.

“Congratulations Northern Rangelands SACCO, you are the leading SACCO in Isiolo County according to our records. We are glad that you have impressive growth and member savings as compared to the 80 registered SACCOs in Isiolo County. I would like to encourage the SACCO members to take advantage and get development loans, as well as new ones to join. ” Said Roba, Isiolo County Auditor.

During the ADM meeting, there was an election of new board members; the newly elected board chair is Michelina Leparmosijo, and the secretary is Salma Lekomet. There was also awarding of the best members in savings and loan repayments.

Further, the SACCO introduced a new product known as the Hakiba Dharura account to safeguard members’ emergencies rather than withdrawing their savings and closing the account, a product that was well received by the members; another milestone for NR SACCO.

Founded in 2016 by the NRT Trading under the Biashara Mashinani program, the Northern Rangelands Savings and Credit Cooperative (NR SACCO) act as a financial intermediary, particularly for youth and women in Northern Kenya to be able to access small business loans and other financial services. NR SACCO is an independent, community-owned, and membership-driven organization, which receives critical oversight, technical support, and training from NRT Trading.

For more information about NR SACCO, you can visit your conservancy manager or NRT Trading offices at LEWA Wildlife Conservancy.