Lake Baringo is located in central Kenya within the basin of the Molo River, one of the streams that originate from the Mau Forest, the largest mountain rainforest in East Africa and the largest water reserve in Kenya, severely deforested over the last few decades.

The intervention area belongs to the semi-arid belt of the country, particularly vulnerable to the phenomenon of climate change, where years of drought alternate with years of floods. This situation has serious repercussions on the food security of the population already compromised by unsustainable livestock and farming practices, which contribute to the fragile land degradation. Another consequence is the periodic worsening of conflicts between populations due to the scarce resources available.

The project aimed to improve the food security of rural communities in Baringo County through the promotion of inclusive economic growth that adopts innovative and sustainable models for agriculture and livestock, involving in particular women and young people.

The project also intended to spread awareness on the potential of rural development in Kenya among the citizens of the Emilia-Romagna Region.

1. Start-up of a small flour and feed company
   The project supported the start-up of a small business for the production of highly nutritious flours from cricket farms and soldier fly larvae. The former are used for the production of flours for human consumption, while the latter are used to produce feed for animals and fish.
2. Awareness raising in Emilia-Romagna
   Implementation of two awareness raising events in the towns of Rimini and Faenza which included an artistic moment, an in-depth study on the themes of the project and a convivial moment.
3. Start-up of pig farming activities by two community groups
   Support for pig farming through the supply, for each group, of materials for the construction of the barn and equipment to start the business. To reduce costs, the groups also used the feed produced by the small company described above.
4. Strengthening twelve groups of women in agricultural production
   Support to twelve groups of women, already active in agriculture, in the application of good agricultural practices to adapt to the arid climate of Baringo County through cutting-edge techniques and improved seeds.
5. Support of three groups of women in aquaculture activities
   Supply of materials for the construction of tanks and fry of tilapia and catfish to increase their production capacity. These groups also had the opportunity to purchase low-cost and quality feed produced locally thanks to the activity of the small business for the production of feed described above.