Lead organisation: MetaMeta
In Kenya, despite significant agricultural potential, challenges persist in ensuring food and nutrition security. Smallholder farmers who contribute to 75% of crop and livestock production are challenged with low rainfall, land degradation, and limited technology access. The arid and semi arid regions, covering 80% of Kenya’s landmass, are particularly vulnerable, hosting rural households living below the poverty line and dependency on local resources.
MetaMeta Limited and the Government of Makueni County proposed the Drain to Gain Project to convert road runoff water to a Nature-Based Farming in Makueni County, Kenya, with the goal of enhancing community and landscape resilience by integrating sustainable land management strategies, including road runoff harvesting, agroforestry, climate-smart farming, and bio-gulley control. The water is directly harvested from the road surface through lead-off drains and rolling dips. In flat areas, low-permeability stone bunds are used to control runoff. The storage systems and enhanced recharge structures are strategically placed along runoff paths to maximise water retention and groundwater recharge.
By implementing road runoff water harvesting and bio-gulley treatment, Drain to Gain contributed to strengthening local food security, restoring landscapes, conserving the environment, protecting roads, and fostering economic growth.
Working hand in hand with the Government of Makueni County, specifically the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, and Public Works, the project was implemented in Mbooni Sub-County, Kako-waiya ward along the Kavingo Market-Ilela Road. The collaboration with Special Interest Groups, including community-based organizations (CBOs) and common interest groups (CIGs), is a cornerstone of Drain to Gain’s approach.
Key Objectives of the Project:
- Collaborative Nexus Approaches: Strengthening community ties and fostering collaboration among authorities and key stakeholders in the development of a resilient nexus approach.
- Household Empowerment: Increasing the number of households engaged in harvesting road runoff for agricultural production, groundwater recharge, and tree cultivation to enhance community livelihoods.
- Bio-Gulley Control: Promoting and demonstrating bio-gulley control techniques using vetiver grass, bamboo, and bananas for biodiversity conservation and land restoration.
- Climate-Smart Farming: Encouraging income-generating activities, particularly climate-smart farming through road runoff harvesting.
- Infrastructure Resilience: Enhancing road infrastructure resilience by efficiently draining and utilizing road runoff, leading to a reduction in road maintenance costs.
