Ideal Idea: Greening The World To Mandate The Future.

kariithi ejidio · Guest

Ideal Idea: Greening The World To Mandate The Future.

Turning marginal ecological zone into a habitable area; with afforestation, soil and water conservation, minor irrigation and construction of dams and fish ponds and allied environmental works with slogan he that plants and he that waters are both equally blessed.
Project based in Kirinyaga district Kenya and registered as a self help “Kamunyange green belt operations” p.o. box 1259 Embu Kenya.
Project area is dry land with erratic rainfall hence constant crop failure and very poor food security. Residents rely on famine relief resulting to poor nutrition and poor social economic standing.
Proposed interventions
Since registration in 1982 much has been achieved but still the proposed original idea has not been fully realized about 4.5m trees have been planted but when we saw that we could not do much relying on rain fed intervention.
We embarked on serious water harvesting and have since installed gravity fed piped water now serving the whole location and its environs but this water is sorely for domestic use only. People have managed to have small kitchen gardens hence a great relief on all fields on social economic, health etc.
We have managed to install fish in about 23 ponds which are used by the community for food, soil and water conservation has been a routine and food production has slightly improved.
We have witnessed slight change on rain patterns for the better, however
The proposed major intervention by installing gravity fed irrigation water systems for improved livelihood.
The project will involve about 7000 households who will irrigate ½ acre of land thus about 3,500 acres in all.
About 15,000 grade/ zebu cattle 30,000 small stock 10,000 pigs and 100,000 chickens will also benefits.
3. About 21 primary, 6 secondary schools 7 dispensaries, 9 cattle dips will also benefit about 2.5milion trees will be planted – soil type um 4 and lm3
Achievable results:
 Formation of a dam about 4sqkm.
 Irrigation piped water gravity fed.
 Better food security.
 Creation of employment for youth and women.
 Improved income through sales of surplus crops.
 Establishment of cottage industries.
 Improved health.
 Better environment.
 Intensified fish farming.
 Construction of hydro power station by using dam over flow.
 Saving firewood by using electricity power.

4. Formation of a model farm.
This project will be on 3.1 hectares farm where, making use of the current meager water supply, a masonary water tank 150m3 will be constructed and a piping system will be laid which will use drip water irrigation to show that one can use such little water to achieve much.
A second masonary tank of 100m3 will be built to tap all water from the roof catchments and without wasting even a drop of such use the water for other economic purposes.
In the same farm a 10% portion will be curved out as a woodlot for forest trees to enhance and demonstrate the global requirement of 10% forest cover.
5. In the model forest there will be installed about 150 bee hives, will fenced off using a chain link and many indigenous trees will be planted, water points for the bees will be installed.
On top of both masonary tanks will be constructed a library environmental data bases and a store respectively.
In the model farm all crops will be planted but emphasis will be on traditional foods in particular early maturing and drought resistant.
All stock cattle, goats, pigs, chicken etc will be on the farm.
A model fish pond will be made and install mud fish which resist harsh weathering, in general the farm will be mixed farming.
Key word for the farm will be sustainable self reliance on food security and friendly habitable environment.

5. Further outlook
On the larger project catchments several dry valleys will be identified where earth dams will be constructed to harvest runoff storm waters which will later be used for minor irrigations and where earth filling to make the dam is used a crossing pathway will be made on top of the said earth fill to facilitate movement between the neighbouring ridges.
As the crop production improves, surplus harvest will be used in value adding small cottage industries.
At the intake overflow water will be used to generate electricity which will be used for domestic use and light industries, the current fuel wood intake will be greatly reduced.
At the same time improved cooking stoves will be enhanced.
In our catchments area. There is a small hill which will be installed with direct pipe (small) where water will be placed in a small tank and a perforated pipe will be installed. where oozing water will keep and will permanently green and more trees will be grown on same.
Our intended projected Endeavour is to realize our goals as visioned in 1980s and as we have witnessed very great enthusiasm, devotion and selfless commitment by all the beneficially community all will be achievable as our God is able. We thanks our collaborators and well wishers and expect even more as we move ahead for a hunger free, health and well intentioned community in the service and intend to leave this world better than we found it as we are living with a purpose.
Compiled by
Ejidio Kariithi Cimba
1259 Embu- Kenya
Cell: 0710194820
Email kariithiejidio@yahoo.com
AMEN.
2/2/2010
He that plants and he that waters are both equally blessed.
END!!