Reviving Rangelands 1: Empowering Women Groups Through Grass-Legume Fodder Production in Baringo County

In Baringo County, efforts to restore degraded rangelands and support local livelihoods have been gaining momentum through the Native Plants for Environment and People (Native PEP) project. Recently, the project achieved significant milestones, addressing both ecological needs and community empowerment.

Over the last two years, Native PEP conducted a field trial near Salabane, Baringo County, in which different combinations of native grasses and legumes were grown. Catherine Ndungu, MSc student at University of Nairobi, collected data in the field trial to assess how much fodder is produced by the different grass-legume mixtures and how mixing grasses with legumes affects soil health and fodder quality. Legumes can fix nitrogen in the soil and thus maintain soil health, and they usually can improve fodder quality, which benefits livestock productivity.

In October 2024, women groups in Lomalok location, Ilchamus Ward, approached Catherine and inquired whether the project can provide seeds of a good grass-legume mixture which they could use for fodder production on their own land. The women’s groups showed a keen interest in developing their own fodder resources, a critical step in improving livestock productivity and community resilience. Growing legume-grass mixtures also offers them the opportunity to generate some income, as they can sell the seeds of the grasses and the legumes to local NGOs or to other households in the area.

The project provided more than 20 kg of seeds for drought-tolerant grasses and legumes, including Cenchrus ciliaris, Eragrostis superba, and Indigofera arrecta. Each group member received seeds sufficient for half an acre, marking the beginning of a sustainable fodder program.

This initiative does more than just improve the livelihoods of local women by providing them with a source of income from fodder sales—it also contributes to the restoration of degraded rangelands. By encouraging the growth of native grasses and legumes, the project is fostering ecological regeneration, ensuring that these vital ecosystems can support both people and wildlife for years to come.

Prepared by Simon Thangu