Malisho Upya – Green Pastures

Malisho Upya
(Green Pastures)

Building Resilience in Pastoral Communities

Malisho Upya, the flagship 20-year program of Green Action International, is dedicated to building resilience against drought and climate change within the pastoral communities of Northeast Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Our high integrity carbon credits fund this adaption

people building tent structure out ouf wood

Our Mission

Pastoral nomad livelihoods are increasingly at risk as their livestock succumb to drought and food scarcity. Climate change is wreaking unprecedented destruction, often leading to the displacement of pastoral nomads and their livestock. Thirty years ago, pastoral existence was less fragile, with sufficient grazing, water, and market access supporting a culture with roots back to Palaeolithic times. Today, these stewards of the semi-arid regions face the threat of losing their livelihoods and being forced into refugee camps or emergency camps for internally displaced people.

Challenges

While pastoral nomadism has many advantages, supporting populations to remain self-sufficient, unregulated practices can damage ecosystems.

Overgrazing degrades land, damages soil substructures, and reduces wildlife, consequently impacting tourism income and leading to conflict.

As land becomes damaged, it loses its economic viability, opening it up for mining exploration and further degradation. Rural farmers also face resource pressures, such as water use resulting from mass urbanisation, reducing the viability of their farms.

There is a pressing need for economically viable solutions that build on the cultural capabilities and heritage of these communities.

Opportunities

Green Action Biochar Carbon Credits are a more effective way to invest in community led climate actions solutions for removing greenhouse gases and offsetting your business activities. Our biochar credits improve opportunities for the pastoral nomad communities we work with by

Increasing the yields of agricultural practices
Increasing income from livestock farming
Increasing the number of trees through a mix of plantation tree growing, existing forest renewal and inclusion of fruit, nut and other commercial trees
Improving rainwater management and land irrigation skills
Developing a carbon credit management workforce
Increasing community wealth through income diversification.

Our Approach: Cultural Entrepreneurship

Malisho Upya is based on the concept of cultural entrepreneurship, which applies to pastoral nomads and rural farmers in East Africa. Cultural entrepreneurs are change agents and visionaries who organise cultural, financial, social, and human capital to generate revenue from cultural activities. Their innovative solutions result in economically sustainable enterprises that enhance livelihoods and create cultural value and wealth.

Woman planting a tree in a field in Kenya

Cultural entrepreneurs are visionaries who harness cultural, social, and financial resources to create revenue from cultural activities.

Innovative Solutions

Our project leverages cultural entrepreneurship to help pastoral nomads and rural farmers grow their incomes through carbon sequestration opportunities offered to western individuals and corporate donors. Tree planting, supported by western donors for its Carbon sequestration benefits, also provides medicine, timber, materials for pastoral encampments, fruit, nuts, livestock security, fodder, shelter, and fertilizer. Managed for surplus, these trees can generate additional income, supporting transitions to more efficient stoves, creating community microfinance funds, reducing landscape degradation, and building community drought resistance funds.

Ensuring food security amidst a growing population and climate change is a major challenge. By 2050, the world population will surpass 9 billion, increasing food demand significantly, especially in urban areas with diverse diets that require resource-intensive livestock production. Global food production needs to rise by 70%, and in many African countries, it must double to meet demand.

Soil, the cornerstone of agricultural land use, is central to sustainable land management. Soil carbon improves soil quality, essential for water and nutrient retention, and supports resilient land management systems. Our biochar based carbon credits sequester highly persistent carbon into the soil to meet this need.

Cultural and Environmental Impact

Integrating agroforestry and permaculture techniques can improve soil health, increase crop yields, and provide additional income streams. Developing sustainable water management systems can alleviate resource pressures, ensuring that rural farmers have reliable access to water. Implementing renewable energy projects like solar and wind can provide energy to communities while reducing dependency on non-renewable resources. Investing in educational programs empowers communities with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain sustainable practices. These solutions address immediate challenges and build on the cultural capabilities and heritage of communities, fostering resilience and sustainable development.