Australian High Commission
Republic of Kenya

Australian High Commissioner Visits Environmental Restoration Project in Baringo County

Australian High Commissioner Visits Environmental Restoration Project in Baringo County

On 20 March 2014, the Australian High Commissioner to Kenya H.E. Geoff Tooth joined World Vision on a mission to assess the progress of the Australia-supported Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) Project in Mogotio, Baringo County. FMNR seeks to improve food security and enhance the communities' capacity to adapt to climate change as well as to take part in restoration of the degraded environment thus strengthening household resilience. The visit aimed at showcasing how the project has transformed the lives of the beneficiary local farmers and their families.

Three farmers explained how simple the FMNR approach is and how quickly they were seeing results of their efforts, all in just less than one year. They reported having plenty of pasture for their livestock, increased milk production and increased disposable income that enables them to adequately provide for their families.

H.E. Geoff Tooth lauded World Vision for their work in empowering and mentoring communities to adopt innovative conservation agriculture practices such as the FMNR Project. He said he was confident these practices would improve the environment for agricultural development in Baringo, which is often plagued by droughts and chronic food insecurity.

Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Geoff Tooth, speaks during his visit to the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) Project implemented by World Vision in Baringo County

High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth with the Governor for Baringo County, Mr Benjamin Cheboi (left), and the Governor for Nakuru County, Mr Kinuthia Mbugua (right) during his visit to the FMNR Project

High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth speaks with the Governor for Baringo County, Mr Benjamin Cheboi (left), and the Governor for Nakuru County, Mr Kinuthia Mbugua (right) during his visit to the FMNR Project

High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth with staff from World Vision, the implementers of the FMNR Project