An international research partnership spearheaded by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is turning one of Laikipia County’s most destructive invasive plant, the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia stricta), into a source of food security and clean energy.
Once notorious for swallowing grazing land and injuring livestock, the plant is being re-purposed through a collaborative project with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and funding from Sicily’s dryGrow Foundation.
The research, already in full swing, is already giving the people of Maiyanat and Morpusi community ranches a glimmer of hope in the struggle against a ferocious adversary. Families are discovering new ways to feed their livestock, cook meals, and harness energy, turning a long-standing ecological challenge into practical solutions for livelihoods in one of Kenya’s most climate-stressed regions.
Led by Prof. Willis Owino, the project is converting the cactus menace into livestock feed pellets and biogas for household use, advancing the university’s mission of applying scientific research to address real-world community challenges.
For years, pastoralists in Laikipia watched helplessly as the cactus spread across rangelands, contributing to a complex socio-ecological crisis marked by livestock injuries and deaths, food insecurity, banditry, human-wildlife conflict and deepening vulnerability during recurring droughts.
JKUAT’s work in Laikipia represents a deliberate shift from decades of cactus eradication efforts to a more integrated and sustainable utilization model. In collaboration with Prof. José Dubeux of UF/IFAS, the research has demonstrated that Opuntia stricta can be processed into livestock feed pellets that support significant weight gain in farm animals, offering a drought-resilient alternative where pasture is increasingly unreliable. For families whose wealth and food security are tied almost entirely to their herds, the pellets have provided a critical buffer against climate shocks.
At the household level, the project has leveraged the invasive cactus to stimulate livelihood improvements among 30 beneficiary households through the provision of biodigesters, water tanks and solar lighting. Chopped cactus pads are fed into adapted biodigesters to generate biogas for cooking, providing a clean energy option that reduces reliance on firewood and eases pressure on local forests. Beyond feed and fuel, the research is also exploring value-added products such as juice, jam and wine derived from the cactus fruit, opening up new income streams.
These innovations are unfolding alongside complementary control measures, including manual chopping and uprooting, burying, limited herbicide use, burning and biological control using cochineal insects.
Together, they underscore a multi-faceted approach to managing the invasive cactus, one that seeks not only to curb its spread but also to extract social and economic value from a long-standing ecological challenge.
Speaking on the scope of the research, Prof. Owino said the project was designed not merely to manage an invasive species, but to generate tangible benefits for pastoral communities. He noted that feeding trials using cactus-based pellets recorded significant weight gain among goats, attributing the results to the plant’s nutritional value when properly processed.
“We are seeing animals gain weight even during dry periods when pasture is scarce. These interventions have the potential to stabilize livelihoods that depend almost entirely on livestock,” said Prof. Owino.
Beyond animal feed and energy, Prof. Owino noted that nutrient-rich slurry produced by the biogas systems is reused as organic manure for kitchen gardens within participating homesteads. The approach, he said, closes the sustainability loop by supporting household food production while minimizing waste.
He further observed that the project is contributing to reduced conflict in the region. With improved access to feed and energy at the household level, pressure on grazing land and seasonal movement in search of pasture has eased, lowering the risk of clashes between pastoralists and neighboring ranches and conservancies.
Community members such as Siteiya Kuraru say the impact is visible, noting that the project has strengthened household resilience and improved their ability to meet basic needs for both families and livestock.
Village elder John Rukwa said the project has fundamentally changed how residents perceive the once-dreaded cactus. Previously associated with injury, pasture loss and frustration, it is now increasingly viewed as a shared resource that offers hope and opportunity.
For Mr. and Mrs. James Masaine, access to biogas has eased the daily burden of collecting firewood, allowing their children to focus on school and giving the family more time for farming and other productive activities.
Mrs. Petroline Masaine said cooking with biogas has reduced smoke in the home and eliminated the constant pressure of sourcing fuel, improving household we-llbeing and freeing up time for income-generating activities.
Other beneficiaries, including Jackline Kimirri, highlighted how access to biogas and animal feed has reduced household strain, particularly for women. With energy available at home and feed accessible locally, families are spending less time coping with scarcity and more time improving their livelihoods.
Prof. Owino’s leadership in the initiative is underscored by his wider research standing. In 2025, he was among the top five researchers at JKUAT recognised as a Most Impactful Scientist in the AD Scientific Index, reflecting strong research output, high citation counts and extensive publication in reputable international journals.
Watch the exclusive documentary on the research project here for an in-depth look at the work and its impact
