UoN hosts the ESSA Project 2024 Workshop

Earth Observation and Environmental Sensing for Climate-Smart sustainable agro-pastoral ecosystem transformation in East Africa (ESSA) project held its last workshop and seminar at the University of Nairobi, October 24-25, 2024.

The ESSA Project has been running from 2020-2024; through a partnership between the University of Helsinki, UoN and seven other research organizations in Ethiopia and Kenya funded by the European Union under the DeSIRA Initiative. The theme, ‘Improving agro-pastoral livelihoods through enhanced data acquisition methods, alternative services and products, & capacity building in response to climate change in East Africa’

Speaking during the Opening Ceremony, The Principal Investigator, Prof. Petri Pellikka from University of Helsinki took the audience through the history of how the ESSA project was born, the highlights and milestones through the four years that have seen the transformation of agro-pastoral communities through the implementation of research findings.

The Ambassador of Finland to Kenya, H.E Pirkka Tapiola, reminisced on the long-standing character that has defined the relationship between kenya and Finland; research.  Hon. Tapiola spoke about the development of the Taita Taveta research station that was established in support of Finland.

The UoN Vice Chancellor, represented by Prof. Catherine Kunyanga, noted that , ‘The ESSA project has built capacity through supporting graduate students in developing alternative livelihood options for communities living in the rangelands, create fora for exchanging ideas, amongst researchers, agro-pastoralists, extension service providers, and other relevant stakeholders and establish and strengthen linkages with relevant institutions and organizations involved in enhancing the productivity of rangelands.  On capacity building, I commend the ESSA project team for giving scholarships to eight (8) UoN post graduate students registered in six (6) different departments; Animal production, Food Science, Technology & Nutrition, Plant Science and Crop Protection, Agricultural Economics, Geospatial engineering and Environmental governance.

Kenya's rangelands, comprising over 80% of our land area, are vital to our economy and way of life. These ecosystems provide essential services, including livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, recreation, mineral resources, plant products, and more. Over 36% of Kenyans rely on these natural resources for their livelihoods. Despite their significant benefits, Kenya's rangelands have been hindered by a lack of basic infrastructure and support for social and economic development. This has limited their ability to contribute to food and nutrition security. To sustainably manage the rangelands, there is a critical need to have professionals and practitioners who are highly skilled and are cognizant with the current trends that threaten the rangeland ecosystems.

The two-day workshop was characterized by project progress reports by partner organizations, presentations of research findings, presentations of stories of change, and presentations of policy briefs and the programme was moderated by the UoN PI, Prof. Cecilia Onyango.