Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
2.2.6.1
community training
Training programs were organized in each of the six ISSs and at the district level. Vil-
lage AESH committee members, some opinion leaders, and 6-10 people from the ISSs
were trained on participatory approaches, management methods, community mobili-
zation, gender issues, community-based leadership, action planning, monitoring, and
evaluation. Experts from the various disciplines were invited to conduct training in
each of the specialized areas. Focus group discussions were held after each topic. The
experts then addressed specific issues arising from these discussions. Leaders in each
of the ISSs were encouraged to hold monthly village meetings to discuss, in a partici-
patory manner, their agroecosystem sustainability and health concerns.
2.2.6.2
community-based development Interventions
Leaders in each of the ISSs were provided with copies of the action plans developed
in the participatory workshops. The research team facilitated meetings among the
community leaders in each village and between them and other institutions to discuss
the implementation of action plans and to institute measures for better management
of their agroecosystem. The leaders were expected to initiate participatory processes
to develop activity schedules, delegate duties, monitor progress, and evaluate the
progress of individual projects.
The implementation of the action plans was the responsibility of the communi-
ties. In addition, the communities were expected to supply all the resources needed
to carry out the required interventions. The role of the research team was to identify
experts, resource persons, or institutions that the communities might need for success-
ful implementation of a project. If the resources needed for a project were more than
the communities could generate from within, information and skills (e.g., proposal
writing) for seeking support from the government, nongovernmental organizations,
and other development agencies were provided. However, communities were requested
to show how such a project would be sustained after the donor support ceased.
2.3
Results
Figure 2.2 shows the relative size and location of Kiambu district. Change in altitude
(in units of 200 m starting from sea level) is also shown to illustrate the location
and extent of the highlands. The geographical distribution of the study sites within
Kiambu district and the relative size of the divisions are illustrated in Figure 2.3. The
boundaries of the newly created Tigoni Division were yet to be properly documented
by the time of this study.
Communities in all selected study sites agreed to participate. Community partic-
ipation was high, with 75% to 100% of the households and homesteads represented
in all the participatory workshops held in the study sites. The concept of AESH was
well understood by the stakeholders as evidenced by use of the health language and
concepts during the participatory workshops.
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