Agriculture
Although a rural area, Bunyore in Western Kenya is densely populated with an average farm size of 0.9 acre. Soils are generally depleted after years of farming the same crops without rotation and insufficient inputs. Farmers lack cash to buy commercial fertilizers, many do not have cows to give sufficient manure, and local seed also gives a poor yield. As a result, hunger is a major problem in the area particularly between January and June every year while waiting for harvest.

Community Outreach has leased 6 acres of land in North East Bunyore for five years in order to do demonstration farming. The aim of the project is to teach improved farming methods and increase food production in the community.

Forestry
To improve soils and promote rainfall, Community Outreach encourage planting indigenous trees. These help the environment, and can help people earn income. Trees are the ultimate agricultural tool, as they can be used for fodder, firewood, soil improvement and income generators. To encourage the local community, we host tree-planting events, often at primary schools. We are also working with farm owners to plant indigenous trees.

To plant a tree with fertilizer costs 0.10$

Community Outreach has planted 515 trees such as Grevillea, Cyprus, Calliendra and Elgon Teak at three different schools. Guest speakers adressed the pupils on two of the occasions on how to care for trees, the benefits of forestry and taught them good environmental practices. Once the trees are handed over to the schools, pupils are assigned in pairs to look after the trees.

will plant 10 trees with fertilizer everyday

» BBC's article on Kenyan farming policy