Multi‐stakeholder participation for successful implementation of applied research projects in Africa

Rainwater harvesting from Roads For Indigenous Pasture production and improved rural livelihoods in Kitui, Kenya (ROFIP) is an applied research project. It assessed the potential of combining multiple sustainable land management practices, for example native grass reseeding, rainwater roads situ microcatchments to enhance vegetation cover a semi-arid dryland Kenya. Rural earth were used as catchment. Runoff generated rainfall events was diverted into reseeded pastures with trenches established at intervals, across slope. The ROFIP project also integrated created using ox-driven ploughs, traditional practice seedbed preparation harnessing African drylands. Combining diversion runoff improves prolongs soil moisture availability pastures. Consequently, this translated higher biomass yields (i.e. forage livestock) (land degradation mitigation enhanced health). This clearly showed that pasture reseeding water retention health, thus improving production. However, be achieved, it prudent involve practitioners co-design practical solutions are socially, economically environmentally sustainable. Multi-stakeholder engagement, effective knowledge sharing, community involvement can major enablers pursuit environmental socioeconomic relevant benefits projects Africa. approach enhances sense shared purpose among empowers them become points reference their peers.