Assessing the effectiveness of the pioneer positive deviance approach in building farmers’ capacity to apply climate-smart livestock practices in Nandi and Bomet Counties, Kenya. MELIA study report.

Chesoli, Rose., Habermann, Birgit., Gichuki, Leah., Kiptoo, Emmaculate., DuttaGupta, Tanaya., Maiyo, Nathan., Getahun, Elizabeth., Elkanah, Langat., Crane, Todd. 2024. Assessing the effectiveness of the pioneer positive deviance approach in building farmers’ capacity to apply climate-smart livestock practices in Nandi and Bomet Counties, Kenya. Report.ILRI.Kenya

The Pioneer-Positive Deviance (P-PD) methodology presents a farmer-led solution for Farmer to Farmer (F2F) scaling of localised solutions to address the mounting challenges of climate change, particularly in the agricultural and livestock sectors. In regions like Bomet and Nandi counties in Kenya where climate variability is increasingly disrupting traditional farming systems, this approach empowers local farmers to lead the way in developing and scaling effective climate adaptation strategies without external support from projects. By concentrating on the innovative practices of adaptation pioneer households that have successfully adapted to climate challenges, the P-DP approach is aimed at facilitating peer-to-peer learning and widespread knowledge dissemination, creating a strong network for scaling proven climate-smart practices.

In many contexts, traditional agricultural extension services struggle to address localized climate issues, often failing to reach the grassroots level with practical, adaptable solutions. P-PD scaling approach fills this gap by fostering collaboration, shared learning, and innovation within farming communities. This intervention aims to enhance the resilience of livestock management systems, especially dairy farming, by promoting sustainable practices that improve both livestock productivity and environmental health.

Since its inception in 2022 under the Livestock and Climate (L&C) Initiative, the P-PD scaling approach has been promoted to build climate resilience at the community level through participatory climate adaptation efforts, where farmers play a central role in shaping their futures, sharing their experiences, and collectively working to mitigate the impacts of climate change. By scaling successful practices through localized networks, P-PD ensures through F2F scaling that the knowledge and solutions developed by adaptation pioneer households are widely disseminated, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and climate-resilient livestock management practices.

To assess the effectiveness of the P-PD scaling approach among livestock farmer in Nandi and Bomet county, a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Impact Assessment (MELIA) study was conducted in August 2024. This study focused on assessing the reach of the F2F networks, the effectiveness of knowledge sharing, and changes in farming practices. Specifically, the study sought to. Assess the effectiveness of the P-PD approach in knowledge sharing and fostering learning among dairy farming households. Determine the number of households that have been reached through the P-PD scaling approach. Identify opportunities and bottlenecks in the P-PD scaling process, providing insights into potential areas for improvement and optimization.