Celebrating the achievements of PELUM Kenya during 2015 AGM

By Bob Aston

The Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Sustainable Agriculture Community Development Programme (SACDEP-Kenya) Training and Conference Facility in Thika on May 28-29, 2015 brought together 70 participants from more than 40 member organizations.

Speaking during the AGM, Mr. Charles Nyakora, Chairperson, PELUM Kenya Board thanked all stakeholders for the roles that they had played in the development and growth of PELUM Kenya in 2014. He noted that the network will continue to believe in partnership and networking as well as working hard towards the realization of PELUM Kenya vision, mission and goals.

“PELUM Kenya was started to address African problems so that we move forward. This is a network that can help us sort out our issues. Let us support PELUM Kenya because of the support that we are giving small scale farmers,” said Mr. Nyakora.

Mr. Charles Nyakora addressing participants

  
Summary of achievements in 2014 included: establishment of six networking zones based on geographical location; increase of membership to 46 organizations; establishment of three distinct national thematic networking committees; development of policy and strategy documents; strengthening of the monitoring and evaluation systems; and development of eight work plans in the priority value chains of cassava, honey and indigenous chicken.

Other achievement’s included: Over one million consumer segments reached with information of sustainable consumption; formation of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOAI); hosted and still hosting two like-minded and learning networks; launching of phase 2 of promoting elum and Networking for Livelihood Improvement; and prepared and submitted a winning concept and thereafter proposal to Siemenpuu Foundation.

“ Various  reflective meetings and evaluations held and carried out in 2014 have revealed that PELUM Kenya is strong in various dimensions and that it is moving towards becoming a more vibrant network realizing the expectations of its member organizations. PELUM-Kenya wants the network to be more member-driven,” said Mr. Zachary Makanya, County Coordinator, PELUM Kenya.

Mr. Makanya noted that over the past three years, PELUM Kenya has played a key role in promoting the sustainable management and governance of Environment and Natural Resources in Kenya. This has been possible through support from Act! Change! Transform! (Act!). This has helped to improve involvement of smallholder farming communities in governance, management and efficient utilization of environment and natural resources in the country.

Participants pose for a photo

PELUM Kenya delivers its work through 4 main strategic approaches namely: Research, Information Management and Marketing (RIMM); capacity enhancement and networking programme (CEP); campaign, advocacy and lobbying (CAL); and result based management (RBM).

Some of the projects undertaken in 2014 included: promoting elum and networking for livelihood improvement (PENELI) 2 programme; Global green action week; ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) initiative in Africa; and Strengthening Community Engagement in Governance and Management of Natural Resources.

During the AGM, members were presented with a summary progress report from PELUM Kenya for 2014 and some updates for 2015 as well as statement of financial position. Members were also able to elect new board members, ratify admission of two new members and appoint the auditors of the company for the year 2015.

PELUM Kenya promotes people-driven development towards sustainable land use management. The organization facilitates learning networking and advocacy on sustainable natural resource management for improved livelihoods.

The organization has also been promoting sharing of information of development experiences, innovations and best practices, strengthening linkages and collaboration through action learning among partners and members as well as increasing the visibility of the small-scale farmers.