An Update from Kenya: In Conversation with James Konde

 James Konde, our Project Coordinator, reflects on 2021 and what is in store for next year.Talk to us about your role within the Haller Kenya team.I started working with Haller Foundation in 2014, after having volunteered for 6 months during my certificate and Diploma University studies. It’s hard for me to point out my specific role with Haller, since working with Haller has modelled me to embrace many different disciplines cutting across -  Agriculture, Environment, Wildlife, Managerial, among others. I am pleased to say I am holistic as far as Haller principles are concerned!Reflecting on 2021, what opportunities and challenges have you faced this year? 2021 has also been a very challenging year due to the outbreak of Covid-19, but there have also been unexpected positive outcomes.

Currently, I am managing Nguuni Nature Sanctuary and we have seen local tourism picking up and more people starting to embrace nature within their surroundings. This year, we have tried to ensure we make the necessary moves to improve different sections within the sanctuary. I ensured the successful installation of the electric fence, put up new structures at the picnic points to accommodate the influx of people and successfully mobilised groups for cleanup around the sanctuary.Beyond Covid, what have been the biggest challenges faced this year by Haller’s communities?Beyond Covid-19, this year has been very dry with scarce amounts of rainfall both in the long and short rain seasons. This has affected all spheres of life; animals, humans and nature and directly impacted the local economy.What are your hopes for the coming year?

In the coming year, I hope that we will become more resilient, and rainfall patterns will become more stable. I look forward to bringing more support to Haller Communities in terms of training, improving water availability and reducing malnutrition.What role do you think technology has in changing agriculture and how do you see the Haller Farmers app developing over the next few years?I believe that technology has a huge role in changing the future of agriculture by spreading more realistic, timely and feasible information to all people across the world at all times. Technological advancements will give farmers the chance to meet and exchange ideas.

I have already witnessed the positive impact of technology on agriculture with the Haller Farmers app. The app plays a great role in informing and connecting people, transferring economically sound ideas and moving forward to new practices and techniques. In the coming years I hope the app will be a one stop centre for training, scaling and offering solutions to farmer’s problems. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know/be more aware of? To our readers; Times are changing drastically and we are all in a puzzle, NOT YET that we have any single clear scientific proof WHY, WHEN and WHAT will happen next. So, I will advise to be more cautious of your surrounding and Haller Farmers App is here to make you understand the PAST and Know the FUTURE in very easy, implementable principles which one can do feasibly with limited resources. REMEMBER keep it local and simple.