TRAINING OF TRAINERS ON ECONOMIC UTILIZATION OF INVASIVE SPECIES (PROSOPIS JULIFLORA)

Dr. Oliver Wasonga and Dr. Oscar Koech from the University of Nairobi (UoN), Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT) participated in the training of TOTs from various Ministries in the County Government of Samburu, Civil Society Organizations, and Community Representatives on the on Economic Utilization of Invasive Species, particularly Prosopis juliflora. VSF-Suisse in collaboration with the Department of Land Resource Management & Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi facilitated the process of information transfer for better rangeland management. This will enhance innovative and improved practices uptake process and improve adoption of alternative use of the invasive species as animal feeds and safer energy sources for household needs alongside the recently introduced PRM techniques by the pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities. The development goal of the project by Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse (VSF-Suisse) is to contribute to enhanced resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Samburu County to drought and other shocks. This is expected to be achieved through restoration of rangelands and consequent increase in livestock productivity and enhanced incomes guided by the project objectives.