C-MRA - Community Mobilization for Regenerative Agriculture

C-MRA successfully completed the first pilot programme of follow-up training, support and extension work with the farmers in Asumbi who completed the first farmer training in the permEzone pilot program. They are a registered Community Based Organization based in Migori County, a district bordering Lake Victoria in South-Western Kenya.
They are now initiating the 3rd pilot programme with a new group of farmers in Kisa West, Kakamega County, Kenya.

Summary of Project Outcomes

C-MRA's final project report at the end of the permEzone first phase project in Asumbi is available below.
Here is a summary of how the lead farmers had changed their farms in the following ways:
  • 80% had increased the number of crops planted on their farm.
  • 60% had created effective seed storage facilities.
  • 100% were saving their own seeds, an increase by 70%.
  • 100% were planting legume crops, an increase by 40%
  • 100% had started composting.
  • 100% had started intercropping, an increase by 90%.
  • 100% had started recycling greywater to grow plants, 70% were using banana circles to do this.
  • 100% had started mulching their crops.
  • 40% had planted multi purpose trees on their compound.
  • 70% farmers had started using energy saving items such as energy saving stoves and thermal cookers.
  • 100% had shared their farming practices with at least 3 neighbours.
  • 100% farmers reported an increased sense of confidence in their own farming practices.
  • 90% felt better able to find solutions to challenges on their farm.

C-MRA's Final Project Report

You can download a copy of C-MRA's final project report from the Phase 1 Pilot here:
permezone_phase_1_project_report.pdf
File Size: 4793 kb
File Type: pdf
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The C-MRA Team

Paul Omolo is C-MRA’s representative for Phase 1 of the permEzone pilot program in Migori county, and will be a key member of the MEL team for research and data collection in the field. Paul has a BSc in Horticulture from Moi University, Eldoret and has successfully completed a Professional Certification Course in Program Monitoring and Evaluation with The Kenya Institute of Management.
He took his Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) course in Laikipia Permaculture Centre. Previously, as a member of the Permaculture Research Institute, Kenya's projects team, he worked for the USAID Kenya Horticulture Competitiveness project, initially as a Field Agronomist and then as Project Coordinator in Migori County. He has also worked as a Field Assistant (Horticulture) at Sauri Millennium Village, and as a Sales Agronomist for East African Seed Company.
Reagan Okoth is the Field Extension and Research officer for the permEzone Pilot Programme. He grew up in Asumbi, and his understanding of the people, language, and culture underpins his commitment to see communities bridging together to develop sustainable working models.
Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Planning and Management at Kenyatta University, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Coastal and Marine Resource Management, and took his Permaculture Design Certification course in Drylands Natural Resource Centre. His prior experience includes working as a research assistant with Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute on Mikoko Pamoja, a community carbon offset project in Kwale County, and as a project intern with University of Helsinki’s Taita research Station implementing the Adaptation for Ecosystem Resilience in Africa project.
Stephen Onyango joined C-MRA as Field Assistant in April 2019. His work on the permEzone project includes assisting the lead farmers with the establishment of their model farms, building the network of farmers engaging in the project, collecting field data for the MEL team, and guiding the farmers as they develop their roles as peer to peer extension workers.
Stephen holds a Diploma in General Agriculture from Rongo University College, worked as an attaché at the Kenya Horticulture Competitiveness Project (KHCP) in Migori county, and also worked on a contract basis for Development in Gardening (DIG) at Rodi in Homabay county where he carried out field surveys on an agri-nutrition project.