COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT
Local people were consulted and involved in the
implementation of the project right from the beginning. A distinct
strength of the project is that it built on local indigenous
knowledge and farming practices. Pokot people living in the project
area were already accustomed to growing crops using the traditional
furrow irrigation system. The project recognised this and all what
is has done has been to improve the irrigation system through the
construction of a modern gravity-fed pipeline system. This now
conveys water to all the 275ha so far developed at minimum cost and
water loss. Water is available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year on
each plot. Farmers use pipes and sprinklers for irrigation on each
plot and water is supplied at a pressure of 3.5 bars at the plot
hydrant.
A plot allocation committee was created at the
beginning of the project to ensure fairness in the allocation of
plots. The committee consists of JMS staff, the executive committee
of the Wei Wei Farmers Association (WWFA), the local councillor and
local traditional leaders.
The WWFA was created in 1991 by project
beneficiaries to promote farming activities in the area. The WWFA
consists of the general assembly, executive committee and the board
of directors. The general assembly is the supreme organ of the
association and consists of all the 225 plot holders. It meets at
least once in two years to elect members of the board of directors
and the executive committee. The board of directors is made up of
block representatives and members of the executive committee. The
project area has been divided into 8 blocks and each block is
represented by at least two people. At present there are 18 block
representatives The board of directors is responsible for discussing
and finding solutions to all problems faced by farmers such as pest
control, seasonal budgets and crops to be grown, crop rotation and
soil fertility management, etc. Any expenditure from the WWFA
account that exceeds KSh10 000 has to be approved by the board of
directors. Meetings of the board of directors are held as and when
necessary.
Finally, the executive committee consists of five
members, viz., the chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, vice
secretary and the treasurer. The WWFA constitution provides for
employment of three staff - accountant, plumber and agronomist - to
run the affairs of the association. The executive committee is
responsible for recruitment and supervision of the three staff. It
has authority to approve and make expenditure not exceeding KSh
10,000. The committee holds meeting every month.
