Climate Action

“Increasing agricultural productivity across Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most important problems of this century” Dr. Hannah Ritchie, Our World in Data.

Hundreds of thousands are on the move in Eastern Africa. After years of failed rains in Somalia, the 2022 drought turned farms to dust littered with cattle carcasses. Almost quarter of a million have fled to the Dadaab refugee complex in NE Kenya.

To the northwest, 200,000 have fled the droughts, flash floods (ironically) and resulting conflict in South Sudan. And there is more……in total, Kenya is now host to almost a million refugees.

Hundreds of miles away, Kenya’s Western Highlands are irrigated by breezes moistened as they cross Lake Victoria. This is fertile farmland. Typical crops included maize and beans. Farms are small and labour intensive, yields modest:

Tonnes/ Hectare 2021	USA	India	Kenya
Maize	11.1	3.2	1.5
Groundnuts	4.6	1.7	0.9

Shocking, isn’t it? Much of the difference is due to the USA’s massive application of fertilisers, weedkillers and pesticides, its adoption of GM crops. Still, a substantial part of Kenya’s deficit is down to labour-intensive methods. Investment in farm equipment is very very low. Often it’s just hand-hoes, wheelbarrows, ox-ploughs, spades and sickles. The yields achieved are reflected across sub-Saharan Africa.

On top of this, the dreaded Climate Change is adding to the problems. The weather everywhere is becoming more volatile. Dry seasons are hotter and longer, the vital rainy seasons are less predictable. In 2021, for example, the rains arrived weeks late with a huge, damaging hailstorm. Deciding exactly when to sow crops has become more of a lottery. Crop yields have suffered. 

The farmers of Africa have a long journey ahead. Time for some action! Much to be done, much to be gained for everyone. Our long-term project is focussed on one group of smallholders, representative of many others. The leader is Benjamin ‘Benmak’ Makhanu with his 6-acre farm close to Bungoma, a typical market town. His smallholding is representative of millions across sub-saharan Africa:

Key Facts about Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa:

• Number: Approximately 33 million, around 80% of all farms in the region. 
• Food Production: They produce up to 90% of the food supply in some areas. 
• Economic Contribution: The sector is a significant part of the region’s economy, productivity is essential for the region’s agricultural growth. 
• Challenges: Smallholder farmers face limited access to finance, equipment, modern seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, technical support, and markets. Productivity suffers, earnings are too sparse to support investment.. 
• Climate change: The prospects for the future demand adaptation.

Objectives. Our project objectives are clear –

To double the farm output by 2050 without claiming more land,

To do this by growing crops with proven climate resilience, and environmental benefits.

That means investing in crop trials, some of which may fail or take years to bear fruit. Meanwhile those involved still have to feed their families. We need to strike a pragmatic balance.

CLIMATE ACTION is not a registered charity, not a government organisation. No salaries, no admin overheads. Just volunteers with a common aim – to help 3rd. world smallholders up their game & cope with climate change. That means diversifying crops and developing techniques.

More details on the project’s Climate Action Development Farm are here. This has been a significant investment of time & effort by the local community.

The Climate Action Community Orchard encourages the local community to try fruit and nut trees. Deeper rooted than seasonal crops, they may have better drought resilience. Once mature the hope is to enjoy a valuable income while helping with carbon sequestration. A double benefit. More details here.

The Climate Action Network is a group of committed smallholders with a social media forum encouraging them to co-ordinate field trials and share their experiences. They also have access to practical advice from further afield. Details are here. Maybe you have expertise you can offer?

To get involved in any other way, just contact: petersbed@aol.com

Oh, and please please please spread the word. Every little helps.