The Aitong Bio-Fence

2008 ‘Live Fence’ Agroforestry Fencing Project
Theodore M. Kinyanjui

Overview
Using established holistic agroforestry methods and techniques to implement a ‘live fence’ land-use plan around selected landowners homes and livestock enclosures.

Principle Components
1.Intiating a food, fuel, fodder and profit generating system of fencing area resident’s homesteads.
2. Using a holistic land management approach to achieve a fully sustainable, certifiably organic, carbon neutral method of agroforestry.
3. Integrating modern development and human encroachment with a biodynamic method of keeping the Maasai Mara’s appearance pristine.

Key Objectives
A: Identify willing participants with suitable locations to implement primary project developments.
B: Develop a fair cost sharing initiative with local landowners and area hotels and lodges.
C: Training of a local extension officer to expand the initial demonstration ‘live fence’ program throughout the Ol Choro/Lemek/Aitong/Koiyaki region.

Components
1: This agroforestry system will provide the homeowner with six key uses;
a. Security: the outer most line of trees will be acacia polyacantha ‘the falcon claw tree’ which due to its prevalent thorns and many branches will not only provide a high level of security but the prunings are also an excellent source of sustainable firewood.
b. Timber and Poles: the second line of trees will be comprised of eucalyptus teritecornis, an inedible, extremely drought tolerant species which matures in five to ten years and produces excellent timber and poles.
c. Medicinal Values: the third line of trees will be neem, a drought tolerant tree, which among its many uses,(fuelwood, charcoal, fencing, poles and shade) also has many scientifically proven medicinal qualities.
d. Food Security: the forth and innermost line of trees will be moringa oleifera, an easily propagated tree that has been proven to have one of the highest nutritional contents of any cultivated plant which not only can be eaten by people but is also an excellent source of fodder for livestock during droughts or can be encompassed in a zero grazing silage system. In addition, its seeds, when crushed can be used for water purification, removing up to 99% of contaminants in water.
e. Privacy, Windbreaks and Shade: By using the aforementioned tree species, when managed in a rotational system, some will mature at a faster rate and be harvested first while the others will fill in the gaps left behind and provide a continual barrier around the homestead.