About our partner ALIN

By Bob Aston

The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is an International NGO that facilitates information and knowledge exchange to and between extension workers or infomediaries and arid lands communities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The information exchange activities focus on small-scale sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, natural resources management and other livelihood issues.

To increase its reach and effectiveness, ALIN targets infomediaries who work for governments, NGOs, CBOs and faith-based organisations. These are the people who act as a source of information and knowledge for the rest of the community out of duty or social responsibility.

Information is accessed through community-based Maarifa (Knowledge) centres via a range of channels that include: web portals, Web 2.0 applications, mobile phone platforms, workshops, exchange visits and regular publications.

ALIN works with other partners to improve access to good quality information and knowledge on climate change adaptation practices using publications like Joto Africa and web 2.0 tools. The organization has also been capacity building communities to support both dissemination and capture of information about innovations and best practices.

The organization has been providing agricultural information through production of Baobab magazine and other media to build knowledge, exchange information and stimulate debate and concerted action among stakeholders.

ALIN is also implementing a knowledge sharing project for United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) grantees operating in Laikipia County as well as implementing a one year project on climate change on behalf of Act! Change! Transform! (ACT) in Baringo, Laikipia and Kajiado counties.

The organization was also instrumental in the creation of Sokopepe, a social enterprise supporting the agricultural sector in Kenya by offering market information and farm records management services. Sokopepe is backed up by two services namely Farm Records Management Information System (FARMIS-Kenya) and SOKO+.

FARMIS is a farm management and diagnostic tool based on the use of farm records. It was developed for use by diverse stakeholders in the agriculture sector, aimed at identifying productivity trends, profitability of different farm enterprises and producing evidence for use in decision making at the farm, County and National levels.

 SOKO+ which is a digital commodity trading and information system, linking small scale farmers to end retailers/bulk purchasers of produce. SOKO+ provides commodity prices from major markets around the areas of operation and beyond, e-extension services and a listing of various technical and logistical support providers.