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Kenya
Sustainable Agriculture
Isiolo
In Isiolo, Northern Kenya, the effects of climate change are dramatically visible: today extreme droughts occur much more frequently than in the past. This has forced many pastoral communities to abandon livestock farming. The death of livestock - often the only source of livelihood security - is a serious problem for the survival of the people. Farmers are also facing many difficulties as the extreme drought have led to losses of crops and fodder for livestock.
The agro pastoral communities in the area now live in extreme poverty and food insecurity is increasing.
ActionAid intervention in Isiolo targets 10 communities of shepherds and farmers, particularly women. The objective is to train 7,800 farmers in sustainable farming techniques and to improve the management of natural resources for 15,900 farmers. This will facilitate links between the farming and pastoralist communities and local government authorities on sustainable rural development issues, as well as develop an early warning system that integrates local knowledge with weather forecasts.
Amina’s story
“Our farm is a model farm within the community."
Amina Hassan is a 29-year-old mother of 6 Children in Kamuthe, Garissa County. She studied until class 3 when she was married off to a 70-year-old man at the age of 12. She decided to join a local women’s network, supported by ActionAid and formed her own women’s group and together decided to start a farming activity, which is not usually practiced in their pastoralist community.
ActionAid came in to support them with training on farm techniques, canal irrigation, and drought resistant crop cultivation. ActionAid further provided them with a water pump to boost their water supply from the Tana river. As a show of support, men issued them 350 acres of land close to the river to plough and plant crops of their choice. With the first income generated from the sale of produce, the women’s group purchased another 150 acres of land which was distributed among the group members.
“We plant different crops. Right now, I have planted tomatoes and pumpkins. Another member has planted watermelons and eggplants. This enriches the soil and reduces market competition among us. With the money I get from selling fruits and vegetables I grow in my farm, I am able to pay my children's fees, pay medical bills and provide food for them," says Amina. "With the first profits I got from my farm in 2017, I bought 3 cows. I now have 9 cows!"
Their farms are model farms for all the community and beyond. The men who issued the first tract of land to them are full of praise for their hard work and other women’s groups in their community want to venture into farming too. “We are a role model for other women’s groups; they are now trying to acquire land so as to start farming too.”
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