Pact Kenya has been implementing a UNDP funded project in and around Shimoni on the South Coast of Kenya for the last two years by.The Project is called the Sustainable Utilization of Land and Marine Biodiversity in Shimoni Vanga Locally Managed Marine Area

The goal of this UNDP GEF/SGP funded project is to provide the Shimoni Vanga community with the knowledge and skills necessary to embrace alternative livelihood options that promote long-term sustainable utilization of the land (soils, forests, woodlots, traditional crops) instead of marine resources (fishery, sea grass, crustaceans etc). In effect, encouraging alternative livelihoods (like farming and tree growing) to fishermen will relieve pressure on the sea, reef and mangrove forest resources currently under threat through over extraction and unsustainable exploitation. The project has four specific objectives:-

• Undertake participatory sub-sector analyses of high value wood products and commodities for promotion in the Shimoni Vanga region; Improve the capacity of the Shimoni - Vanga community to plan for and better manage the use of land and marine based resources through Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) stakeholders;

• Introduce and promote alternative land based livelihood options to reduce pressure on fisheries and mangroves; and

• Initiate and facilitate marketing linkages for the identified high value crops and wood products.

The project was able to establish six pilot farms that acted as field schools for the rest of the community. These farms are located in five LMMA zones out of the target nine, namely, Kiwambale, Bati, Anzuani, Kibuyuni and Majoreni.
Fourteen farmers were extensively trained on fruit and vegetable farm husbandry and value addition (post harvest handling) by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) in Mtwapa. Those trained fishermen/farmers in turn use the knowledge to train other willing fishermen who wish to become farmers in their villages.

The farmers have also been trained on how to set up a perennial tree nursery and to care for the trees long term. Woodlots have been established in the five zones and seedlings distributed and planted. They have been trained on agri-business to enhance their skills and carry out sustainable agriculture.
The project has also linked the LMMA members with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the Kenya Forest Service for technical assistance, networking and marketing. Currently the market for most of the produce is the local population but some produce is sold at the Mombasa Kongowea wholesale market.

These farmers have created a niche as pioneers for value addition of farm produce in the district, and are recognized by the MOA. They have participated in a producers fair day organized by the Ministry and currently have an invitation to participate in the National World Food Day that will be held in Kikoneni -Msambweni District and attended by the Minister for Agriculture. The MOA was also able to display pilot farm produce at the annual Mombasa ASK show due to their high quality.

The project officially ended on 31st August 2009, but Pact Kenya is working on finding more funding for the next six months to allow for a smooth exit.The LMMA Committee is planning to register itself so it can fund raise for the expansion of the project to the other zones and also to undertake other projects that they  have identified.