Lives improved

In the past three years, COSDEP directly improved the lives of 703 farmers and through them another 3,515 community members.

A total of 35, 000 farmers have been reached and trained, 80% of these trained farmers are actively practicing organic farming. Two thirds of these farmers have also been involved in exchange visits as a way of promoting knowledge and information exchange among farmers in other areas.

A successful adoption ensures that the know-how is internalized in the community for further spread among the farmers meaning that they can uphold the system for as long as they practice farming, without a compromise on yield and the quality of food, soil health and natural environment.

Cost effectiveness: Ksh4,280 (or €32,63) is spent per farmer in the past three years (this includes overhead costs).

The COSDEP team is well equipped with skills and knowledge about agro-ecological methods and they have conducted many field excursions, trainings and exchange visits to different organisations.

The team includes:

• Stanley Ng’ethe Kinyanjui– the Director who holds a Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture with over 25 years’ experience both in agricultural extension work and administrative matters.
• Jane Itati – Administrative Assistant who holds a diploma in Community Development, Business Administration and over 15 years’ experience in administrative matters.
• Susan Mbui – M&E / Field Supervisor who holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Resource Management and over five years’ experience working in the agro-ecological sector.
• Caren Nekesa – A field extension officer who holds diploma in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development and over six years’ experience working with the farming communities in the agro-ecological agriculture sector.