The Technical University of Kenya has received a grant of EUR 34000 (Sh4.7 million) from OeAD-GmbH-Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation. The grant will support their project titled “Sustainability of Flood Plains Supported Livelihood in the Face of Climate Change in East Africa (Kenya and Rwanda)-PRO-SFP-EA”  

The project, spearheaded by Dr Evance Mbao and Dr Jane Oteki of the Department of Geosciences and the Environment, represents a collaborative effort between several institutions. Alongside TU-K, partners include Kisii University, Chuka University, University of Rwanda, and University of Innsbruck, Austria.

The project commenced on June 1, 2024, and will run until June 1, 2026. The initiative aims to tackle the pressing challenges faced by small-scale farmers in the sub-Saharan Africa, specifically within Kenya and Rwanda’s floodplains. These regions grapple with the dual impact of frequent floods during rainy seasons and occasional droughts, resulting in diminished agricultural productivity and unsustainable agri-aquaculture practices.

One critical concern in these floodplains is the escalating frequency of algal bloom formation in ponds and stagnant water bodies. Eutrophication—the excessive nutrient enrichment of water sources—fuels this phenomenon. Toxic algal blooms pose a direct threat to agri-aquaculture activities, necessitating urgent action.

To address these challenges, the project emphasises robust cooperation and partnership to transfer skills, knowledge, innovation and technologies in Climate-Smart Agriculture practices and water resource management techniques, that will be shared among communities, with a focus on empowering vulnerable groups—women, youth, and children.

By doing so, the project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty eradication, hunger alleviation, gender empowerment, climate action, and fostering partnerships for goals among others.