Boosting rangeland governance and livelihoods
Strengthening community-led restoration and climate-resilient livelihoods in Laikipia county, Kenya.
Women members of the Laikipia Livestock Marketing Cooperative Society apply enterprise development skills in eco-friendly sandal production (Photo: Francis Ngaiduri/LLMCS)
The Laikipia Livestock Marketing Cooperative Society (LLMCS) is a forest and farm producer organisation representing 760 members from 13 group ranches in Laikipia county in Kenya.
Operating in a landscape affected by recurrent droughts, land degradation and declining livestock productivity, LLMCS supports pastoral communities through rangeland restoration, sustainable livestock production and livelihood diversification.
Forest and Farm Facility activities
With sustained support from the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) between 2017 and 2025, LLMCS implemented integrated restoration and capacity-building programmes across degraded communal rangelands. FFF financing enabled training for more than 900 community members on climate-smart rangeland management, governance and enterprise development.
The cooperative re-seeded 210 acres, established rotational grazing systems, fenced regeneration sites, removed invasive Opuntia cacti species and developed a community grass bank with more than 2,500 hay bales for livestock fodder. FFF also supported the installation of 900 beehives, beekeeper training and promotion of Indigenous weather-forecasting knowledge.
Significance of impact
The intervention significantly improved ecosystem health and livelihoods. Vegetation cover increased from less than 20% to over 75% in restored sites, while soil condition, water infiltration and biodiversity also improved. Livestock mortality declined and conflicts over grazing reduced.
Women benefited from reduced workloads and increased participation in income-generating activities, with their representation in leadership rising from 20% to 60%. And more than 2,000 young people gained employment opportunities through restoration and honey value chains.
Conclusion
FFF support enabled LLMCS to demonstrate how producer organisations can restore degraded landscapes while creating economic opportunities for pastoral communities.
The model has strengthened climate resilience, improved governance and established a practical example of community-led restoration in Kenya’s drylands.
News: Kenya celebrates the World Bee Day, FAO (2024)
Forest and Farm Facility 2023 annual report: climate resilient landscapes and improved livelihoods, Forest and Farm Facility (2024), project report