USAID STAWI Mashinani – Strengthening Water & Food Security

The Challenge

Taita Taveta County faces significant threats to food and water security due to climate change and erratic rainfall patterns. Unpredictable weather has led to reduced agricultural yields, while pests and diseases further threaten food availability. Additionally, limited access to affordable technology and high production costs have hindered farmers’ ability to adopt efficient irrigation, leaving communities vulnerable to climate stress and economic instability.

The Solution

In partnership with the Millennium Water Alliance (MWA), Mazido International implemented the USAID STAWI Mashinani activity. This initiative aimed to strengthen water resource governance and increase water availability for productive use. Our approach focused on:

• Water Governance: Strengthening Water Resource User Associations (WRUAs) and Water Management Committees to resolve conflicts and ensure sustainable management.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Training farmers in soil and water conservation techniques like Zai pits and semi-circular bunds to retain moisture.
• Technology Adoption: Linking farmers to solar irrigation providers (like SunCulture) and training them to use AI-based mobile apps for pest detection.
• Collaboration: Joint work planning with the County Government to align activities with local development priorities.

The Impact

Despite the premature termination of funding in March 2025, the project delivered impactful results in a short period, enhancing resilience and agricultural capacity:

200 Farmers Trained

We built the capacity of over 200 farmers (including women and youth) in regenerative agriculture, soil conservation, and pest management using innovative AI detection tools.

Solar Irrigation Access

To reduce reliance on rainfed agriculture, we successfully facilitated 2 farmers with full solar-powered drip irrigation systems and linked many others to aggregators for better market access.

Water Governance Reform

We supported the governance and registration of rural water schemes in compliance with the Kenya Water Act 2016. One Water Management Committee was trained and formally registered as a Water Users Association (WUA), complete with a developed constitution.

Youth Empowerment

Focusing on the next generation of farmers, 17 youth were specifically trained in climate-smart agricultural skills, equipping them with the knowledge to pursue sustainable livelihoods in the ASAL region.