The simplest and cheapest pollination measure is the protection of bees and other pollinators in orchards, as these insects play an essential role in pollinating fruit trees. To this end, GIC promoted a dual approach which combines protective farming practices with the creation of on-farm habitats for pollinators.

Farmers were introduced to integrated pest management (IPM), which emphasizes alternatives to chemical pesticides as well as techniques such as scouting and pruning to reduce pest incidence. They were also encouraged to adopt bee-friendly practices such as avoiding pesticide use during flowering, applying only when necessary, with the right techniques and appropriate dosages, maintaining floral diversity throughout the year, and to closely coordinate with beekeepers. These measures help reduce harm to pollinators, cut input costs, and minimize chemical residues.

Complementing these practices, farmers installed simple, locally made nesting structures such as mud hives and bee hotels to support indigenous honeybees and wild pollinators. These native species are well adapted to local conditions and often remain active under cooler temperatures, making them especially valuable during critical flowering periods.

In addition to supporting farmers’ access to cold storages and value added services, the GIC project conducted awarenessraising trainings for farmers covering not only the operation of the technology itself, but also broader insights on how to avoid post-harvest losses. These trainings were designed as a replicable training module to benefit farmers on a broader scale. The module enables other practitioners and organisations in the enabling environment to learn about the approach and to pass practical knowledge on to farmers, empowering them to appropriately manage their produce and thereby maximising income.

The module includes a variety of topics aimed at giving farmers a comprehensive and actionable overview of the need for cold storage, the technologies and methods available, and how to adopt them effectively, including information on funding and government programs enabling their access. 

In addition to raising awareness, GIC aimed at strengthening farmers’ capacity to make use of cold storages systems in practice and covered topics such as system operation and crop-specific storage needs.

District forestry officers interacted with traditional leaders and communities that live around the targeted forest area. 

FLR is a long-term investment and local communities desire short term benefits to support their households and change behaviour. The support from National Bank enabled communities to get jobs for the completion of silvicultural tasks.  

Community meetings (barazas) were conducted in November 2024 in 7 selected BMUs within the Vanga-Shimoni seascape. These BMUs included Vanga, Jimbo, Majoreni, Kibuyuni, Mkwiro, Shimoni, and Wasini; and were selected based on their general proximity to the Kenya-Tanzania border and their active conservation efforts. 

A total of 175 participants participated in community Barazas; each BMU being represented by 25 participants. The representation in the barazas was based on gender, age, as well as memberships of either BMU or Community Forest Associations (CFAs) in the area. The meeting program included presentations on the TBCA concept, group work, and interactive plenary sessions . Break-out sessions were included to further dig for additional information on threats facing coastal and marine resources within their areas, current interventions, as well as community perceptions of the TBCA concept.

Regular training and exchange activities promote successful experiences in scientific assistance for farmers and raise the country's agroforestry technology levels.

The Engineers’ Association has established a generational mentoring model, including the Junior Engineer Program, to enhance regional scientific and technological awareness and ensure the long-term sustainability of agroforestry knowledge.

The Engineers’ Association prioritises research on native species, leading to breakthroughs in early emergence techniques for bamboo shoots, organic fertiliser production, and mixed planting of hickory and native herbs. These advancements not only address farmers’ technical challenges but also enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The Association has also contributed to the formulation of forest resource management standards for Lin’an District, ensuring scientific guidance for agroforestry development is rooted in local ecological conditions.