PROJECT PROPOSAL

Project No.

(assigned by UNDP) Project Title: IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY THROUGH DRIP IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY

APPLICANT Name of Organization: VISTA YOUTH CONSULTANTS C.B.O Mailing Address: P.O Box 211(60200) Meru, Kenya (East Africa).

Physical Address: Kamawe Building, 4th floor c/o Royal School of Applied Sciences Telephone: mobiles +254722501971 or +254720661678

E-Mail: vistateam10@gmail.com or titovista@yahoo.com

Principal Officer:

Mr. Titus Kinoti, Program Coordinator

Project Contact:

Ms Mercy Mwirigi, Project Officer

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Vista Youth Consultants CBO is a registered community based organization which was initiated in the year 2004 by young professionals with an aim to empower communities through innovative ways in regard to environment and climatical changes in some of the productive semi-arid region. Our main objective in this proposal is to establish food security systems through introduction of drip irrigation technology initiatives within a period of 12 months. The program will enable availability of food to the family regardless the scarce water resource due to climatical change. For a relatively low initial investment (US $15 to $85) a small-scale farmer can set up a drip-irrigation system. If used to grow crops for market, this investment will pay itself within the first season and lead to increased household food production, especially during extended dry periods. Drip irrigation requires little water compared to other irrigation methods. About 40-80 litres per day are needed per 100-200 plants. The small amount of water reduces weed growth and limits the leaching of plant nutrients down in the soil. Inorganic fertilizer or manure tea can be applied efficiently to the plants through the drip system.

Our organization has capacity to establish and implement this project on food security; this proposal will address implementation plan through establishing community based drip irrigation systems in our target locations that will be the pioneer or pilot project. This idea will be replicated in other semi arid areas but with capacity to produce food. The total cost of the project will be Kshs. 3,396,000 which will be realized from the community efforts and other partners. This is why we are requesting your organization to consider funding this noble work with Kshs. 2,596,000. This will go along way in realising our dreams and keep our community empowered, informed and transformed through food security.

2. ORGANISATIONAL BACK GROUND AND CAPACITY. 2

WHO WE ARE: Vista youth consultants is an organization of young professionals with knowledge, skills and experience in community based initiatives such as peer education, health sciences, community based health trainings, HIV/AIDS interventions, environmental conservational and other social work skills. This group was officially registered in Kenya in the year 2004 as a Self Help Group based with a membership of 16 members (9 males and 7 females) in Meru Kenya to ensure young people are transformed through capacity building, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. This self oriented group was later changed to a Community Based Organization [CBO] with a capacity of 13 members (8 males and 5 females); in the year 2006 due to its diverse and well versed activities targeting youth in and out of school, women empowerment and vulnerable communities. The group works through volunteerism basis and is lead by a strong team leaders and one of them with work experience from various organizations such as Food for the Hungry International, Ripples International and other local NGOs. Majority of the members work in various organizations within Meru and others are self employed but very active in group activities. We had received a small grant from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to conduct community based health education in their target community which was very successful and currently some of our members are implementing a project under AMREF/MAANISHA grant targeting 3 prisons in Meru on Behaviour Change funded through a sister project called Samaritan Care Foundation. Vision: To have informed society; one that has an overflow of information and that is capable of standing on its own feet because they know all there is to know. Mission statement: We exist to empower our communities through information, education, and communication in all parts of the country through capacity building and support systems. Our Motto: Information is power! An informed society is a better society.

3. PROBLEM STATEMENT: Crop failure from poor rains due to climatical change is widespread and on the increase in the East African dries lands, leading to increased food insecurity. In the arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya, some form of irrigation is necessary to meet water needs of horticultural crops. Large, capital-intensive irrigation projects tend to perform poorly compared to smallholder-irrigation schemes. Poor management results in the unfair distribution of water, and in soils becoming waterlogged and saline, leading to some schemes being abandoned. Three types of irrigation systems are commonly used: surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is the most efficient in terms of water use. It provides good water control by delivering water near the plant, enabling the farmer to grow crops with much less water than with other methods. In drip irrigation, water flows through a filter into special drip pipes, with emitters located at different spacing. Water is discharged through the emitters directly into the soil near the plants through a special slow-release technology. The program will address the following needs among others: 1. Negative impact of global warming and climate change which has negative impact on food production leading to poor food production and malnutrition. 2. Food security and proper use of available water to produce food for use at family level. 3. Women and children who spend a lot of time in looking for food will have eased burden. 4. Their will be water conservation and reduced wastage in the case of overhead irrigation. 5. Help members understand the value of team work, community initiatives like establishing fishing pods, tree nurseries, planting of fruit trees and others. 6. Create a network of community groups through tree planting to encourage environment conservation for future community sustainability.

4. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS: Project Goal: To equip Self Help Groups in 4 locations with knowledge and skills on food production initiative in order to be able to have increased food production through drip irrigation initiatives within a period of 12 months. Project Objectives: 1. The primary aim of this project is to establish 8 self help groups within the community with drip irrigation initiatives Kanyunga, Mutunyi, Ntugi and Ruiri communities with an aim to combat climate change through food production 2. To help members in our community develop food security concept through distribution of drip irrigation materials in order to combat the effects of climate change. 3. To have 120 community members trained on food security and other food production alternative methods. 4. To create 8 solid self help groups network with an aim to have increased food production, storage and food consumption for healthy living. Expected outcome. We will have 4 major communities empowered on food security and thus positive knowledge for combating effects of climate change. We will have at least 8 Self Help Groups in target communities empowered with drip irrigation materials to combat negative effects of climate change. 120 community members trained on food security thus being able to face challenges brought about by climatic change. We will have established 4 community environmental groups addressing issues of food security. Over 5,000 people in the community will benefit from food produced within the community due to knowledge and skills acquired therein. Will have empowered community and especially women in the target areas with alternative food production and other survival skills. We will have transformed community with relevant information on how to care for environment and reduced soil erosion through created community murals which depicts the need to conserve, protect and care for the environment. Informed communities with knowledge and skills on how to tackle climatical crises.

5. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES: 5

This program is intended to build on peoples initiatives towards reduction of food insecurity and economics poverty at the household level and promotion of economic reliance. Deliberate efforts will be made to train each of the identified community within their context, building on their arrant efforts for maximized productivity of their group. Qualified trainees, from varied field will be invited to shed more light on means of increasing productivity of these groups. For continuity purpose deliberate efforts will be made to work with local government officials and linking these groups with reputable microfinance institution in their locality it is projected at least 8 groups will be involved in this venture reaching out to populace within the target locations. This 1. 2. 3. 4. process will entail the following; Preliminary preparation (Contact setting) Verification of self help groups Identification of specific training needs among the selected self help groups. Development of training modules identification and engagement of possible trainers. Scheduling of project based training. Provision of drip irrigation materials support to 8 self help groups Reviewing groups area of operation. Distribution of support materials Continued monitoring of allocated materials to ensure productivity Training roll- out Actual training of participants from the identified self help groups. Development and follow up of agreed action plan Preliminary evaluation of the training process and content Documenting and reporting (Monitoring and Evaluation) Documentation of the training process and content Final evaluation of initiatives Development of final completion report on schedule

Methodology: 6

Bucket system: The bucket system consists of two drip lines, each 15-30 m long, and a 20-litre bucket for holding water. Each of the drip lines is connected to a filter to remove any particles that may clog the drip nozzles. The bucket is supported on a bucket stand, with the bottom of the bucket at least 1 m above the planting surface. One bucket system requires 2-4 buckets of water per day and can irrigate 100-200 plants with a spacing of 30 cm between the rows. For crops such as onions or carrots, the number of plants can be as many as the bed can accommodate.

Bucket drip-irrigation system

Drum system: The drum system is a combination of several bucket systems but modified to use a water supply from a 100-200-litre drum instead of a 20litre bucket. It consists of drip lines measuring 15-30 m long, a lateral line to which the drip lines are connected (including a gate valve) and a drum or a small tank as the water reservoir, raised 1 m above the soil. The equivalent of five to ten bucket kits can be connected in this system. The lateral line is made of 2.5 cm (1-inch) diameter PVC, steel or polyethylene pipes. Connecting tees are used for each pair of drip lines. A drum system equivalent to five bucket systems can irrigate 500-1000 plants planted with 30 cm between the rows. Such a system requires about 100-200 litres of water a day, depending on the environment and crop.

Drum drip-irrigation system

6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTNERS. 7

Partner

Role/Responsibility

Contribution: Cash or In-kind In-kind(labour)

Value of contribution 400,000

1.

Community

Direct implementation and formation of community committees Provision of technical support and advice Staff, technical and volunteerism

2.

GOK (Forestry department) Vista C.B.O.

Inkind(consultancy) In-kind (skilled labour)

100,000

300,000

TOTAL

450,000

7. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND TIME FRAME

TARGET BENEFICIARIES Contact setting Group leaders of self help groups Formation of Chosen from self coordinating body help group leaders especially women Establishment of 8 8 self Help groups drip irrigation identified from the community Capacity building Community Self Help Groups ACTIVITY WHERE/WHO All 4 target areas Kanyunga, Mutunyi, Ntugi and Ruiri Kanyunga, Mutunyi, Ntugi and Ruiri All selected members from the 4 communities with a target of 120 participants Kanyunga, Mutunyi, Ntugi and Ruiri. WHEN The first 2 months 3rd month of implementation the

4th Month of the implementation plan The training will be done the 5th month of the project. This exercise will be done for 6 months and will kick off from the 4th month

Advocacy meetings All 4 target areas on food security continues monitoring Monitoring evaluation

and Kanyunga, Kanyunga, The 6th month and 11th Mutunyi, Ntugi and Mutunyi, Ntugi and month of the project Ruiri. Ruiri.

8. PLAN TO ENSURE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION 8

Partner

(i) Project planning and design We already have organized groups within some areas who are already having basic skills on environmental issues Very supportive and always offers technical support.

(ii) Project implementation

(iii) In monitoring and evaluating project effectiveness and impact. Community committees will be having monthly meeting and write reports.

1.

Community (SHG)

The existing Self Help Groups will be carrying out the activity the leadership of steering committee Will be consulted for technical support and other concerns. Will ensure activities are well implemented and advice different groups on the ground

2.

GOK (ministry of water and natural resources) Vista CBO

Close monitoring will be done and will ensure they receive reports on monthly basis. Has developed proper monitoring tools to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation.

3.

Helped in documentation and to broaden the idea

9. GENDER ASPECTS; IN PLANNING AND IMPACT ON WOMEN. COMMITTEE COMPOSITION: Since we understand that empowering women means to empower the whole society or community, the committee formed with be at the ratio of 1:3 meaning in every man represented there should be 3 women. These committees will be the eye of the community and will ensure that our environments are taken care of. EMPOWERMENT TRAINING: the empowerment training will be gender sensitive and will aim at ensuring women issues are addressed; these issues includes and not limited to women vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, firewood, water, heath and other matters affecting women directly or indirectly. SUSTAINABILITY: We will encourage women to establish kitchen gardens, communal trees nurseries, introduction of improved energy saving jikos etc.

10. RISKS TO MEASURES.

SUCCESSFUL

IMPLEMENATION

AND

MITIGATION

Area administration officers may not cooperate and become trouble some to the committees formed, we will ensure to involve the area chief during the implementation and other relevant bodies. Expected number to be trained may not be achieved due to issues related to distance and household chores; Training will be done when there is no much work at the farms and will be done at a centralized place to ensure availability of participants. This means we will conduct community based trainings to ensure community members are able to participate in the training. Lack of continuity; to ensure the sustainability of this program, the group will work towards establishing more partnerships with like-minded organizations, International Development Partners, local communities and ministry dealing with a forestation or forestry.

11. PROPOSED EVALUATION PLAN AND INDICATORS. Activity Who When Indicator
Contact setting Target community, administrative officers and community volunteers Community members. 1st month of the project implementation After setting contact of Capacity building Project officers After the trainings and consultants Photos. Findings of the collected. Participants list data

Formation community committee members Food security Community advocacy members, Project meetings officers and volunteers

Every month

end

Number of groups formed and list of members List of officials. Photos. List of number of people reached. Records of the number of meetings bearing dates Topics covered and by who Participants lists Photos Program Facilitators copy of contractors Number of trees

Tree

planting Project

officers, At the end of the

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campaigns

Formation network

community volunteers selected community committees. of Project officers, community members.

1st and 2nd quarter during starting of rainy season

planted. Lists of people participating in tree planting exercise Number of networks formed and list of members List of officials. Bound report, both financial and narrative Bound report, both financial and narrative Bound report, both financial and narrative

Monthly reports Quarterly reports

After the training and then every end of month Project officers Every month and community Project officers Every end of quarter At the end of the project

End of project Project officers reports

BUDGET Objective Activities Total cost of Activity (Kshs) Objective 1 To do contact setting within 4 locations and consultancy with relevant authorities Activity 1.1 Data collection and contact setting in 4 communities Activity 2.1 Objective 2 To have 8 drip irrigation tanks installed in 4 locations Objective 3 To have 120 community members trained on food security. Installation of drip irrigation each at the cost of Kshs.200,000 150,000 150,000 0 Amount requested from GEF/SGP (kshs) Co-financing (kshs) (mention source)

1,600,000

1,600,000

Activity 3.1 Food security training 250,000 250,000 0

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Objective 4 Activity 4.1 To create 4 solid Monthly community network coordinating fee for 8 months Activity 4.2 Stationeries for the community Activity 4.2 Printing of Tshirts for community volunteers and food security campaigners. Monitoring and Evaluation 10%

160,000

160,000

20,000

20,000

180,000 236,000

180,000 236,000

0 0 0

2,596,000 2,596,000 I. Project Funding Summary Funding Source Amount requested from GEF/SGP Community contributions* Proposing organization contributions* Other contributions(GOK) Total Project Cost * * Year 1 2,596,000 400,000 300,000 Year 2 0 0 0 Total (Kshs.) 2,596,000 400,000 300,000 100,000 3,396,000 US$

34,613 5,333 4,000 1,333 45,280

100,000 0 3,396,000 0.00

We are expecting to community to volunteer services and labour costing Kshs. 400,000 Proposing organization will contribute technical support and administration cost totaling to Kshs. 300,000

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Community Contributions: Source of Contribution Community volunteers (women and youth) Type of contribution In-kind Committed or Projected? Projected Value of Contribution 400,000

Total community contributions 400,000

Proposing Organization Contributions: Source of Contribution Type of contribution Volunteerism/ Skilled labour In-kind

Committed or Projected? Projected

Value of Contribution 300,000

Total proposing organization contributions 300,000

Other Contributions: Source of Contribution GOK

Type of contribution In-kind

Committed or Projected? Projected

Value of Contribution 100,000

Total contributions

100,000

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II Projected Expenditures: Expenditure Category Year 1 Year 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total Kshs 800,000 1,600,000 250,000 180,000 330,000 0 236,000 10,667 21,333 3,333 2,400 4,400 0 3,147 US$ Percent of total 23.5% 47.1% 7.3% 5.3% 9.7% 0% 6.9%

A. Personnel/Labour B. Equipment/Materials C. Training/Seminars/Workshops D. Contracts (T-shirts) E. Other Costs (contact setting and monitoring) F. Incidentals G. Contingency (10%) Total Project Cost

800,000 1,60000 250,000 180,000 330,000 0 236,000

3,396,000 0

3,396,000 45,280

Exchange Rate (K Shs/US $): KSHS. @ 75US $ Notes and Remarks: Our project expenses, category A and B takes the highest percentage because we believe in direct community participation and will ensure community ownership by giving technical support. We also have in place monitoring tools that will ensure activities are reported accurately.

IV.

Bank Details

Provide information on bank account into which GEF/SGP funds would be deposited: Account Name/Title: VISTA YOUTH CONSULTANTS C.B.O Account Number: Bank Name/Address: 063640226101 FAMILY BANK MERU BRANCH P.O. BOX 3092 (60200) MERU

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