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KENYA / NUCLEAR WATER
STORY: KENYA / NUCLEAR WATER
TRT: 2.36
SOURCE: IAEA
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: JUNE 2011, NAIROBI, KATUMANI, NAMANGA, KENYA
1. Wide shot, open, dry Maasai land in Namanga at the Tanzanian border
2. Wide shot, dried up crops in the Katumani region
3. Med shot, boy gets water from Kwa-Aka pond in the Katumani region
4. Close-up, bucket, getting water from Kwa-Aka pond
5. Wide shot, carts and livestock at pond
6. Med shot, excessive water use
7. Zoom-in, green house at KARI
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Kariuki, Director, Katumani Research Centre, branch of KARI, the Kenya: Agricultural Research Institute:
“Water scarcity in general in Kenya is a problem and we have seen a lot of change over time.
9. Zoom in, Kari greenhouse
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Kariuki, Director, Katumani Research Centre, branch of KARI, the Kenya: Agricultural Research Institute:
We used to have bounty of crop harvest. With the increase of population and environmental degradation we have seen this amount of water decreasing.”
11. Various shots, biologist at KARI’s Nairobi labs using isotope techniques
12. Pan-left: crops, greenhouse, KARI drip irrigation experimental site
16. SOUNDBITE (English) Isaya Sijali, coordinator, KARI’s irrigation activities (he has cooperated with the IAEA for over 20 Years):
“Here is the site for testing drip irrigation equipment for scale farmers. So we are using the soil moisture neutron probe to see about water use efficiency of different crops. These are the results that we are able to give to the farmers and we can tell the farmer to apply water in the right amounts then they are able to save a lot of water. Also they are able to get more crops, better crops because of that efficient water application.”
16. Med shot, crops and drip irrigation
17. Close-up, Maasai farmer turns on water tank
19. Close-up, water comes out of tube
20. SOUNDBITE (English) Alex Ntasikoi, Maasai farmer, trained by KARI in drip irrigation technology:
“We are irrigating using drip irrigation. So, we have come to a conclusion that drip irrigation will do better here because first it requires little water. Secondly, the requirements which are needed for drip irrigation they are cheaper and then it economises water.”
21. Wide shot, crops and Maasai
22. Close-up, neutron probecase opens
23. Med-shot, Maasai farmer surveys neutron probe
24. Close up, neutron probe
25. Med shot, Maasai women singing
Getting water in Kenya is a daily struggle. Whether for farming or domestic use – there’s simply not enough. What little is available is shared by thousands, polluted or the animals get there first.
The IAEA is working closely with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) on projects that use nuclear and isotopic techniques to help farmers make the most efficient use of their scarce water supplies.
SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Kariuki, Director, Katumani Research Centre, branch of KARI, the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute:
“Water scarcity in general in Kenya is a problem and we have seen a lot of change over time. We used to have bounty of crop harvest. With the increase of population and environmental degradation we have seen this amount of water decreasing.”
The studies conducted at KARI’s Nairobi centre under the IAEA projects also provide guidelines and advice on the best use of fertilizer, soil management and farming in drought-prone areas.
In addition, KARI experts conduct research on “drip irrigation” - an efficient crop water system, that’s supported by nuclear science.
SOUNDBITE (English) IsayaSijali, coordinator, KARI’s irrigation activities (he has cooperated with the IAEA for over 20 Years):
“Here is the site for testing drip irrigation equipment for scale farmers. So we are using the soil moisture neutron probe to see about water use efficiency of different crops. These are the results that we are able to give to the farmers and we can tell the farmer to apply water in the right amounts then they are able to save a lot of water. Also they are able to get more crops, better crops because of that efficient water application.”
The Maasai who live in Ng`atataek in Namanga - located in an arid area on the Tanzanian border - are the latest of several Kenyan communities to benefit from the IAEA’s expertise in drip irrigation.
The drip system applies tiny drops of water directly at the plants roots. It saves water - up to 50 per cent – compared with other forms of irrigation and avoids overwatering, which can damage the crops and pollute surrounding waterbeds.
The Maasai are traditionally livestock farmers but as grazing land becomes scarce they’re turning to agriculture as a source of income and food.
The freshwater used by the Ng`atataek community comes from a bore hole, financed under a project initiated by the Green Belt Movement to improve the health and livelihoods of the Maasai people.
But having a water source is only part of the solution, farmers need to know how to use it properly and this is where nuclear techniques play a vital role.
SOUNDBITE (English) Alex Ntasikoi, Maasai farmer, trained by KARI in drip irrigation technology:
“We are irrigating using drip irrigation. So, we have come to a conclusion that drip irrigation will do better here because first it requires little water. Secondly, the requirements which are needed for drip irrigation they are cheaper and then it economises water.”
The KARI team from Nairobi monitors the progress at all the IAEA sites in Kenya and trains farmers on how to implement the water-saving techniques - in turn they transfer this knowledge further to other members of their community.
The Agency is currently operating drip irrigation projects in 19 African countries – helping farmers to save money, protect the environment and grow better crops.
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