website: kaburo kobia
> Holistic grazing for manure management: Cattle are enclosed for some days in designated pens. Their dung accumulates as manure, then the herd is moved to fresh pasture. The result: rich grass grown without external fertiliser inputs.
FMNR in Action: A Visit to Mr Lesokoyo’s 50-Acre Farm
After the farm tour, Mrs Lesokoyo served us tea which we enjoyed as she prepared some honey bought by the team. As we drove away from the compound, we carried home not just inspiration, but practical methods to restore land, diversify livelihoods, and build community resilience.
"I have used invention and creativity. Use locally available resources which are efficient and cost-effective." Mr Lesokoyo
May 2025
A blog by Carolyne Bii
On the first week of May, OikoDiplomatique facilitated an exchange visit between representatives of the Institute of Holy Trinity Sisters (IHTS) in Isiolo and Mr. Lesokoyo, the owner and implementer of a 50-acre compound in Isiolo where he practices land restoration, rangeland management and landscaping. Accompanied by forestry expert Mr. Moses Munjuga, who remarked, "This is the best example of FMNR I have witnessed," the team explored how simple, locally adapted practices can restore land while generating multiple livelihood streams.
"Learn by doing. Discovery." Mr Lesokoyo quipped.
A line of beehives that produce some of the best honey in the region.
To enhance and ensure the success of FMNR, certain practical capacities are necessary. OikoDiplomatique therefore followed the FMNR training at IHTS with practical and technical support including a learning visit to a fully sustainable farm where FMNR, innovation and creativity are successfully employed with benefits for the household and surrounding community while increasing resilience to climate change.
Mrs. Lesokoyo served us homemade honey, a direct benefit of the thriving acacia trees.
Strategic Farm Design for Risk Management
Mr. Lesokoyo has also incorporated risk management into his farm's design. He left a narrow stretch of road from the house to the gate, serving multiple purposes:
> Emergency access: In case of fire or other emergencies, this road allows a path for rescuers.
> Firebreak: The road acts as a firebreak, a cleared strip that can slow or stop the spread of fire, protecting the property and its inhabitants.
> Farm division: It separates two sides of the farm, allowing for better management and organization of farming activities.
This thoughtful design aligns with best practices in fire management, emphasizing the importance of planning and readiness in rural and farming areas.
Integrated infrastructure and income streams
Mr. Lesokoyo has thoughtfully designed his farm to work in harmony with the environment. A key locally adapted solution is his raised goat shelter with dung-collection chambers underneath, which allows him to collect goat-mediated seeds from the manure for targeted planting and land restoration. Nearby, a chicken coop and a shaded area for cows complete the livestock section of the farm. His home, along with all supporting infrastructure, is connected to a rainwater harvesting system which has enabled him to store 100,000 litres, an impressive investment in water resilience.
Tucked under some acacia trees, we noticed a line of beehives. Mr. Lesokoyo proudly explained that they produce what many consider the best honey in the region. The farm’s dairy, fresh milk from goats and cows, sustains the household and generates income through local sales.
But the farm offers more than produce. It is also a learning destination. Visitors pay a tour fee to Ms. Lesokoyo, while Mr. Lesokoyo earns a consulting fee for his expertise. Recently, a group from Germany toured the farm for a live demonstration, and Mr. Lesokoyo is now a regular speaker at high-level conferences hosted by international NGOs and government agencies.
Knowledge sharing
Innovation in management of the rangeland combined with some handed down knowledge has created livelihoods options within the 50 acres, which now stands as a complete retirement package for its owner and his family.
Local and international organizations, as well as various other groups, come to benchmark and learn firsthand from a pioneer in Oldonyiro, Isiolo County.
When we arrived at Mr. Lesokoyo’s farm, he welcomed us warmly and invited us to sit beneath the shade of acacia trees outside his home. The air in his compound felt noticeably cooler than the areas we had passed on our way there. Goats wandered freely around the homestead, and in the distance, we could see a fenced area filled with mature acacia trees and a lush green grass below. Cows grazed peacefully in one section of the field. Mrs. Lesokoyo served us homemade honey, a direct benefit of the thriving acacia trees. As we enjoyed the honey, Mr. Lesokoyo recounted his journey.
After we enjoyed the honey, Mr Lesokoyo guided us around the compound, pausing at each livelihood innovation.
Livelihoods Field Demonstrations
> Goat-mediated seed propagation: The goats feed on acacia pods and disperse seeds through their dung. No need for seed boiling or hot-water treatments, just nature’s own planting mechanism.
> Micro-catchments and barrier lines: In bare patches, he pokes small holes to channel rainwater into the soil, then lays acacia sticks across slopes. This slows runoff, prevents erosion, and lets grass re-emerge naturally.
"Learn from mistakes," Mr. Lesokoyo reminded us. "My farm is my retirement package." he added.