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Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

The shift from academic theory to hands-on fieldwork is a transformative journey for any agricultural science student. For us—Winnie Chepkemoi, Caroline Chepkoech Kitur, and Daniel Rotich from the University of Eldoret’s Department of Soil Science, in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Bangor University—our month-long field expedition to Bomet County, Kenya, was nothing short of eye-opening.

We participated in the GCBC funded HABITAT Project (Harnessing Pasture Biodiversity and Productivity), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing pasture management, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and promoting biodiversity and climate resilience in smallholder dairy systems. Each of us had a unique research focus, but we were united by a shared mission: to understand how soil, pasture, and livestock interact in real-world conditions.

Diverse Roles, Shared Goals

Winnie Chepkemoi

My research involved collecting samples of natural pastures and legumes to evaluate their nutritional quality, secondary metabolite content, and potential to reduce GHG emissions if they are included in the diets of dairy cattle. This research contributes to the development of climate-smart feeding strategies that align with Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions to climate action.

Caroline Chepkoech Kitur

I explored the relationship between soil health and pasture biodiversity, collecting data to assess how soil properties influence pasture plant species composition and productivity, and vice versa, how biodiversity is linked to soil functions such as soil carbon storage or water-holding capacity. Different plants have different growth types which in turn influence the soil. For example, perennial plants invest into deep rooting systems, which can help to increase the formation of soil organic matter-the stuff that holds the soil together and enables it to preserve nutrients and water. Legumes can fix nitrogen from the air, which acts as a fertilizer ‘free-of-charge’ in improves pasture productivity and nutritional quality. With this work, I’m trying to better understand how farmer practices shape plant biodiversity and soil health, and to identify sustainable management practices that support both agricultural productivity and ecological integrity.

Daniel Rotich

My focus was on identifying different pasture species and applying complex sampling protocols in the field. This hands-on experience turned previously abstract concepts into tangible insights and enhanced my understanding of plant biodiversity in grazing systems.

In addition to technical fieldwork, I incorporated a Cultural Domain Analysis (CDA) approach under the guidance of Birgit Habermann (ILRI). This method investigates how local communities perceive and categorize their pasture landscapes. This will tell us which plant species are considered as “useful” or “not useful” by farmers—categories that do not always align with how scientists or conservationists perceive plant biodiversity—and what the underlying reasons are. For example, a plant might be considered as “valuable” by an ecologist, but it might be toxic for livestock, which makes it “harmful” in the farmer’s eyes. Or another plant might not have received much attention in the literature, but a farmer might have observed that it helps to repel ticks or alleviate diseases. This indigenous information is invaluable for biodiversity protection on farms because it helps us to better understand farmers’ reasoning behind their pasture management choices, which then enables us to give better recommendations that are relevant for their realities. Using free-listing and pile sorting techniques, I engaged farmers in mapping out pasture types, associated uses, risks, and ecological functions. This approach revealed nuanced cultural understandings of pasture diversity and management practices, complementing the ecological data and offering richer insights into indigenous knowledge systems. The CDA findings not only validated many farmer-led practices but also highlighted potential entry points for co-producing sustainable innovations in pasture use.

Fieldwork in Motion: Method, Challenges, and Discoveries

We began with detailed planning—coordinating appointments with farmers through the ILRI social science team, led by Emmaculate Kiptoo and Nathan Maiyo, preparing tools such as GPS units, biodiversity quadrats, soil augers, and sample bags, and establishing protocols for daily operations. Our data collection used randomized quadrat and transect sampling across 50x50m paddocks, providing representative botanical samples.

Pastures were clipped at uniform heights and legumes hand-plucked to preserve structure. Each specimen was labeled with location and farm ID, weighed, and recorded. Samples were shaded, refrigerated, and transported to the lab for detailed nutritional and methane emission analyses.

Daily quality control routines ensured label accuracy, data backup, and sample preservation. Despite logistical hurdles like poor road access and communication barriers, the collaboration and hospitality of the farmers made our work both feasible and fulfilling.

Wisdom in the Fields: What Farmers Taught Us

One of the most humbling aspects of our fieldwork was the profound knowledge held by local farmers. Contrary to our initial assumptions, we discovered that many farmers—especially older ones without formal education—possessed deep ecological insight.

“I feared I wouldn’t even get local names for the pasture species,” Daniel recalls. “Instead, I found farmers who knew most names and could describe root structures, toxicity, and seasonality.”

‘A standout example was Trifolium, or Ndabibit, a legume known to cause bloating in cattle if grazed while dew is present. Farmers mitigate this by delaying grazing—a strategy rooted in long-standing observation and experience’.

This realization reshaped our understanding of expertise. As Winnie reflected, "Academic training is just one form of knowledge. Blending it with indigenous practices creates powerful opportunities for innovation."

Caroline added that the fieldwork taught her how to conduct real-time soil assessments, communicate scientific ideas in local languages, and uphold cultural sensitivities—skills often underemphasized in the classroom.

The Road Ahead: Turning Data into Action

With samples now secured and lab analysis underway, our research will soon yield insights that support the HABITAT Project’s goals:

• Enhancing pasture biodiversity and drought resilience
• Reducing GHG emissions from dairy systems
• Improving smallholder productivity and food security
• Promoting farmer-to-farmer learning through knowledge-sharing field days

We extend our deepest gratitude to the farmers of Bomet County, the ILRI team, our supervisors, and fellow students for making this fieldwork a success. It was not just an academic exercise, but a deeply human experience that reaffirmed our commitment to sustainable agriculture.

Learn More

Explore the HABITAT Project:

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