1. Background of the area: Tana River County.

Tana River County is named after the Tana River itself. It has
an area of 38,446 km² and a population of 180,901 according to
the 1999 census. The county headquarters is Hola (sometimes
called as Galole).

The major ethnic groups are the Pokomo, many of whom are
farmers, and the Orma and Wardei, who are predominantly nomadic.
The district is generally dry and prone to drought. Rainfall is
erratic, with rainy seasons in March-May and October-December.
Conflicts have occurred between farmers and nomadic peoples over
access to water. Flooding is also a regular problem, caused by
heavy rainfall in upstream areas of the Tana River.

Tana River district presents an interesting case of the nexus

between conflict and food security. A recent survey prepared by
ALMRP, Tana River District and presented to the Tana River
District Steering Group (2004) found that the district is 79%
food insecure and with an incidence of poverty at 62 % (Interim
Poverty Strategy Paper (I-PSP), 2000–2003, Kenya). Tana River
district comprises several areas of forest, woodland and
grassland which are minor centres of endemism. The forests are
designated National Reserve status if they have >4 plant
endemics and >7 vertebrate endemics (IUCN, 2003). Despite the
apparent adequate natural resources, the region remains
marginalised from the rest of the country. Efforts at
development always seem to centre around the huge River Tana,
despite massive failures in all the previous irrigation projects
in the district i.e. Bura, Hola and the Tana delta rice
irrigation project which failed after the water works were
damaged by the el nino rains in 1998.

2. Who are the applicants and beneficiaries?

Imarisha rights center has teamed up with community based

organization (CBOs) in Tana River County to help them embrace
modern food production technology so as to counter the perennial
food shortage problem in the County. Thus imarisha rights center
provides technical backstopping for the group who in this case
is Chanani Imani Women Group.

Imarisha Rights Center –Chanani Imani Self Help Women Group-Tana River County October 2010Page 1
Chanani imani women group.

The group was formed on March 8th 2007 by 30 women of Chanani

village who had the vision of ensuring their children grew up
healthy with adequate nutrition and able to go to school. These
women became tired of the continuous food insecurity in the
region which gets worse by each passing year. Inadequate food
undermines the nutritional and health status of most households
and is especially difficult on children under five years of age
and the older people. The lack of food, combined with
compromised health conditions, led to malnutrition and increased
morbidity and mortality, especially among children under five
years of age, the elderly, the sick and HIV/AIDS patients.
These women decided they needed to change the situation that is
why they formed the group. They would like to see their children
achieve their full potential. This can only be achieved when
they stay health and are not pushed out of school for whatever
reason. The beneficiaries in the project shall be the group
members, their children and the entire community of Mikinduni
location.

3. What is the background of the group and previous

activities?

Chanini women group since its inception has carried out HIV/AIDS
awareness in the community reaching over 1000 women with the
information. The group has also carried out vegetable farming
and sold this in the local market greatly benefiting the
members. The group also carries out a merry go around for the
group members.

4. What kind of projects do you propose? (including the net

profit margin if it is an income generating project??

The group wants to undertake green house farming. The group

requires the Amiran Farmers Kit (AFK) detailed below.

Description.
1. Farmers green house: 8X15 mini Green house tunnel
Imarisha Rights Center –Chanani Imani Self Help Women Group-Tana River County October 2010Page 2
2. Drip irrigation System: The family Drip System suitable
for a 1/8th of an acre.
3. Collapsible water Tank: 600litres collapsible water tank.
4. Farmer’s sprayer: 16 Liter Knapsack Sprayer.
5. Fertilizers: One season worth of required fertilizer.
6. Agrochemicals: One season worth of required agro-
chemicals.
7. Health and safety: For the usage of the chemicals
provided.
8. Training: Training offered on usage of the kit and a
certificate awarded upon completion.

The AFK is a tailor made kit designed to meet the needs of the
specific farmer or group of farmers by adapting the components
of the kit to suit the climate, terrain and agricultural
experience of the farmer. Further, the group would require a
donkey cart for their transport needs that is ferrying produce
from the shamba to the market center. Farmers elsewhere in Kenya
have observed that yields from greenhouse farming are four to
ten times higher than those of field farmers. They have also
admitted that crops are of [a] better quality since they are
shielded from winds and rains which can give rise to blemishes
on vegetables.” Growing crops under greenhouses has many
advantages, among them the ability to produce huge quantities on
a small piece of land and continuous harvesting. The tomatoes
have a shelf-life of 21 days compared with 14 for those grown in
the open.

It takes a shorter period — two months — for greenhouse-produced

tomatoes to mature, while it takes a minimum of three months
with outdoor farming.

Due to controlled irrigation and temperatures, the crop sports a

continuous output of flowers and fruits, all at different
stages.

One plant has a potential of up to 15 kg at first harvest, going

up to 60 kg by the time it has completed its full cycle —
recommended at one year.

The plant vines are supported inside the greenhouse with sticks
and strings, growing up to 50 metres in height. If well looked
after, the minimum plot of land under greenhouse production can
yield up to 25,000 tonnes of tomatoes.

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Tomatoes are generally highly susceptible to diseases requiring
heavy application of pesticides but under the greenhouse growing
techniques, which come with basic training on hygiene, most of
common infections are easily kept at bay. Also kept at bay are
insects and other pests known to invade plants as well as weeds.

Apart from huge savings on crop protection chemicals, which

constitute a huge part of production costs, less labour is
employed in a greenhouse, while exposure to chemical toxins
associated with application is minimized or eliminated
altogether. It is also good for the environment.

Planting materials for the greenhouse tomato production have

been specially developed as high yielding, although they can
grow outdoors as well.

5. What has already been done to get the project started?

The group has been allocated land by the community where they
are carrying out their farming activities. Therefore the green
house shall be set up on this piece of land which will
accommodate the green house comfortably. Some of the group
members have visited green houses in other parts of Kenya to
learn and see firsthand how they initiative works.

6. How is the project managed?

The project will be managed by the group executive chairperson,

secretary and treasurer. These officials report to the group
members every week. The group leadership receives continuous
support from the Social Development Officer in the area and also
the agriculture extension officers. The group keeps copies and
records of meetings and all activities of the group.

7. How are the beneficiaries contributing to ensure the

successful implementation and sustainability of the
project?

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The group members meet regularly that is once a week and they
keep records of their minutes. Group members are farmers with
over ten years and have the experience of growing difference
crops and are conversant with the weather patterns in the area.
The group receives technical support from the agricultural
extension officers and also from the social development officer.
The group will open a bank account to save atleast 30% of the
net income. This will cushion the group against environmental
and other unforeseen shocks that affect farmers. The group will
shop for stable markers like schools in the community so that
they get constant markets for their products. Further, the group
will seek for markets from outside the county in Malindi and
Mombasa and Garissa. Mombasa is seen as having a huge potential
for the technique since the Coast province imports more than 75
per cent of its food from upcountry and Tanzania.

8. What is the time frame of proposed project?

The project will work on a two month circle so as to ensure

harvesting takes place every month. The group will grow
vegetables and tomatoes that are fast maturing and take just two
months to mature and be sold.

9. Have you received previous funds and assistance?

Our group has not received any funding previously and this will
be our first funding if it goes through.

10. Detailed budget?

DESCRIPTION UNIT UNIT COST QUANTITY TOTAL

Amiran Farmers Kit Kit 200,000 1 200,000
Donkey cat Set 20,000 3 60,000
Water pump Piece 40,000 1 40,000
Pipes and fittings Set 10,000 1 10,000
Diesel Litres 100 500 50,000
TOTAL 360,000

Imarisha Rights Center –Chanani Imani Self Help Women Group-Tana River County October 2010Page 5
 11. Name of contact person and group officials?

NAME MOBILE
CHAIRPERSON RACHAEL EMMA DANIEL +254715598910
SECRETARY ABALA BAHATI KOFA +254715598910

TREASURER ESHA GHAMAHARO SULEIMAN +254715598910

ADRESS c/o Chiefs Office MIKINDUNI Location, P.O.

Box 1-70100 HOLA, TANA RIVER COUNTY. KENYA.

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