Johnson’s Kimani Interview n°2

Question 1.  What is the Status of the SIPIK I and SIPIK 2 projects?

SIPIK 1 comprising of solar pump, solar panels and charge controller are installed and fully functional.            

Work on SIPIK 2 is in progress. Drip lines and accessories for an acre of  land are on site, half laid and functional. The other half will be laid after crops in the farm are harvested in the near future. Remaining works of the SIPIK2 are; storage tanks(2), their stand tower, dam liner and shade net.

Question 2. Which other project have you conducted  locally in 2024

1. Our target being to assist 100 farmers, we realized we needed an organized group which could supplement Terres-En-Eaux ’s initiative. To do this and in accordance with the laws of the land (Kenya) a community based organization (CBO) was registered with the relevant government department (See certificate) which primary role is to mobilize resources both locally and globally. Further, CBO Members intend to carry out similar farming activities which will ease marketing of whatever crop/ livestock they grow and keep respectively. Already over 40 people have joined the CBO and others are applying to join.

2. To start the above activities on the right footing, the over 40 registered members have been trained on 8 different areas by the Sub County Social Development Officer.

3. Members have to also accumulate their resources basing it on the monthly contributions of 4 USD per member each month starting 21/02/2025.

Question 3. What are the advantages of the CBO?

1. Official recognition by the government and partners(both local and foreign)

2. Authority to officially source funds from government (National and county), well-wishers, NGOs, foundations and like-minded funding institutions.

Question 4. What are the results of the SIPIK1 project

1. Procurement of materials (pump panels, charge controller and accessories was done from the right people. (Sunculture company )

2. Installation by the company’s engineer instead of looking for a cheaper local person was the right thing to do.

3. Water from the pan which was not in use for over 2 years has been put to use.

4. Crops grown using the system are doing better than the rain fed ones.

5. Use of solar powered system is very economical in that all is required is sunlight as opposed to power from the grid system.

6. Storage tanks are crucial if irrigation is to be done during cloudy weather.

7. Without storage tanks, there will be limitation in irrigating as per (e) above.

8. From the little experience, if the system is replicated in the farms of even half of the anticipated 100 farmers, income will flow and thereby reduce poverty.

Question 5. At which stage are you with the SIPIK 2 project and what next to expect?

1. Stage I am in

   1. Materials and accessories for one acre piece of land have been procured and half acre laid.

   2. Crops on the ½ acre piece is growing well and healthy. The other ½ acre piece is to have the system laid in the next  one month or so.

2. What next to expect

   1. Have whole one acre under drip irrigation.

   2. Procurement and installation of storage tanks (see question 1 above)

   3. Procurement and installation of the dam liner and shade net( refer to question 1 above)

Question 6. Why installation of tanks is critical?

1. As stated elsewhere direct irrigation has some limitation in that it can only be done when there is sunshine

2. The limitation (i) above limits area to be irrigated

3. Result of (ii)above is less production from the intended

4. Less production will lead to less income generation and poverty reduction.

Question 7.

1. What is the Road map with Terres-En-Eaux in 2025

   1. Install drip lines which is already done.(answer to question 5 above

   2. Procure materials and construct a water tank tower before onset of long rains in March 2025.

   3. Procure and install dam liner to control the loss of the badly needed water from seepage.

   4. Procure and install shade net to control loss from evaporation and predators especially the notorious king fisher

NB: we have kept fish in the dam/pan.

1. For which objectives

   1. To partner with CBO to fundraise for as many farmers as possible and preferably starting with 4 or 5.

   2. To facilitate in partnership with Atalante tour company visits by tourists from the entire area of the company’s operations to see impact of what Bony/TZE initiated.

   3. T2E to look and organize markets for products CBO members propose to undertake

   4. To create  clear change of the CBO area of coverage to make it a point of reference by other like-minded people

21st January 2025.