ISLAMIC FARMING AND LAND MANAGEMENT

Abdalla M. Kamwana14th October,2014

INTRODUCTION

• SUPKEM came with idea of developing Islamic farming in Kenya in Sept,2012 during the Conference held by ARC in Nairobi which was attended by different religious organizations from sub-Saharan Africa under the theme Many Heavens one Earth in Action.

• Through initial discussions between SUPKEM & ARC• The idea was presented to SUPKEM leadership for discussion

& it was fully endorsed• A sub Committee led by the Vice Chairman was put in place

to guide the implementation process

• To SUPKEM this was a wake up call since it helped us realize & re-examine our potential that existed & was never exploited in our religion in the field of environment & agriculture

• SUPKEM embarked on transforming the negative attitude and behavior of its faithful towards the environment and Agriculture.

• As Muslims we are conscious of the fact that Islam is a complete way of life

• SUPKEM venturing in agriculture is not an accident but a spiritual calling

• At the grassroot and community level we encountered several challenges

• Negative attitudes on farming by Muslims especially the Youths

• Poverty level is high among Muslims due to unemployment & historical marginalization

• Farming has become a costly affair requiring too much inputs and earning the farmer too little due to the poor farming methods.

• SUPKEM through Islamic Way of Farming took the initiative to rectify the situation and enabled farmers to produce high yielding crops through better farming methods.

Background

• SUPKEM spearheaded Islamic ways of farming through structured engagement by using its established structures

• SUPKEM initially begun by setting up 11 community demonstration sites for training communities on better Islamic farming methods

• This was upscaled to cover 8 more demonstration sites to absorb communities in Eastern & Central Parts of Kenya

• Within this demonstration sites practical action on farming were undertaken

Preparation StageOne of the activities in Islamic farming

SUPKEM s approach to Islamic farming is informed by 3 key perspective

Management (Weeding, planting, thinning)

Management (Weeding, planting, thinning)

Religious (Quran and Sunnah)

Religious (Quran and Sunnah)

Technology (Measurements, soil analysis, farm slope, e.t.c)

Technology (Measurements, soil analysis, farm slope, e.t.c)

1. RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE

In this approach we speak to the Muslims in the language they all understand, respect and uphold that of the Quran & Sunnah

Since Islam is a complete way of life agriculture is vital component in Muslim life

We used & applied Islamic principles & values in farming derived from Quran & Sunnah

We had to change the negative attitudes & perceptions many people hold on farming especially the youths who look down upon farming

2.MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE

Soil is the foundation of agriculture The well being of the soil is greatly

emphasised Protection & conservation of soil is a must as

farmers are taught on how to increase soil fertility by applying organic manure, minimum tillage & use of mulching

Soil fertility is at the heart of traditional Muslim agriculture

Crop rotation was practised in order to increase the crop yields, preserve the soil fertility & soil nutrients

Farmers are also taught how to improve the ability of soil to retain water through mulching

3.TECHNICAL APPROACH

Farmers were taught the different stages of plant production activities

Farming ought to have minimal negative environmental impact

Farming ought to increase yields as well as increase profits

Farmers are taught on how to make home made fertilizers(Compost).

COMMUNITIES TARGETED

1. Karai Muslim Community-Kiambu County2. Waithaka Muslim Community-Nairobi County3. Limuru Muslim Community-Kiambu County4. Muguga Muslim Community-Kiambu County5. Karatha Muslim Community-Muranga County6. Ndula Muslim Community-Kiambu County7. Ngatho Muslim Community-Muranga County8. OL-Donyo Sabuk Muslim Community-Machakos9. Uruu Muslim Community-Meru County10. Kutus Muslim Community-Kirinyaga County11. Ndalani Muslim Community-Machakos County

COMMUNITIES TARGETED

12.Mbeere Muslim Community13.Chuka Muslim Community14.Laare Muslim Community15.Ntobutwe Muslim Community16.Kaelo Muslim Community17.Kinna Muslim Community18.Wabera Muslim Community19.Mwonge Muslim Community

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

The following are key activities undertaken with the Communities

1. Trainer of Trainers (ToT) training on Islamic Way of Farming

Training of the initial 30 community participants conducted in partnership with Global One 2015 and supported by Alliance for Religions for Conservation (ARC) and we formally recognize and congratulate the critical in-put of Sam Adams, Dr. Husna & Raphael Magambo of A Rocha kenya for tremendous work which ensured that the ToTs became well grounded both in theory & practise.

Training on composting

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

The good work done by Dr. Husna & Sam Adams enabled SUPKEM to support 30 ToTs drawn from the 11 communities to further train 200 Muslim farmers drawn from their respective Counties

The ToTs went a step further & successfully managed to establish 19 community level Islamic way of farming demonstrations sites located within their various Mosque compound

Launch of Islamic Farming manual

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

In summary the following are the key achievements from the Islamic way of Farming programme

Training of 30 community ToTs on Islamic way of Farming

Support for 19 communities to train a total of 200 farmer

Successful support to communities to establish 19 Islamic way of Farming demonstration sites

Mobilisation &support for 22 representative of the farming communities to attend & witness the Islamic way of farming tool kit launch.

The Islamic Farming Toolkit was Translated into Kiswahili version and supplied to 200 farmers

The Islamic Farming Toolkit was Translated into Kiswahili version and supplied to 200 farmers

Youths have shown keen interest in Islamic Farming & spearheading the 19 demonstration sites

We have supplied the 200 farmers with various tree seedlings for planting

After the launch of the Islamic toolkit, SUPKEM was invited by several FM stations in Kenya.

SUPKEM’s work on agriculture was recognised and congratulated by the Ministry of Agriculture.

FEEDBACK FROM FARMERS

1. Sentiments of Abdalla Njuguna Kihara of Thika EastWHAT ATTRACTED HIM TO ISLAMIC FARMING

- The unique Islamic approach became attravtive because of the Islamic Religious elements it incoperates.

- Being a devout practicing muslim, Islamic farming dovetails well with his daily IBADA (WORSHIP)

- Islamic farming offers the best opportunity for a chance in his lifestyle.Since for the first time he looks forward to gain healthy returns fro his daily farming activities while at the same time he will be catering for both his worldly and the hearafter affairs.However he stresses that Islamic farming has made a great differance in farming by ; a) Yields has increased significantly especially as regards maize, beans, peas and potatoes.Although he did not faithfully adhear to the six steps which are the foundation of Islamic farming.He however hopes to rectify and adhere to the six steps in the fourth coming planting season.

By the use of mulching he has made considerable water conservation. While he used to irrigate twice in a week he now does it once in every 2 weeks

What has delighted him most is that as he prepares for the planting cycles there will be no need to hoe his plot thanks to Islamic way of farming which advocates for minimum land tillage.

Reduction in pests which he relates to increase in the reduction of weeds

He claims his soil texture has started to change positively being darker & more richer in fertility

The ultimate aim of Islamic ways of farming is to have a healthy bountiful crops while being mindful of the welfare of our soil and

environment

High yielding crops due to proper farming methods