Farmers’ efforts turn arid Turkana into lush farmland

As devastating hunger engulfs parts of Kenya, the arid North being hardest hit, a community in Kainuk, Turkana South District, is successfully transforming the dry region into green farmland.

The government and the United Nations World Food Programme say close to four million Kenyans — about a tenth of the population — urgently need food.

And, tired of banking on rains that have failed for three years in a row, farmers from Juluk community have turned to irrigation for crop production.

Under the Juluk Irrigation Scheme they have since 2007 grown a variety of food crops on 150 acres of land using water from River Turkwel and are now able to feed their families.

Improved living standards

The hitherto desert land is today covered with a lush green carpet of maize, beans, millet, sorghum, vegetables and bananas, among other crops, which the community sells for a livelihood.

Its population of about 4,000, which has for years been dependent on relief, is now food secure and has improved living standards.

The transformation is evident — particularly after World Vision’s support of generators to help the residents pump water from the river into the farms, coupled with training by the organisation in sustainable farming methods that include the use of fast maturing and high-yield seeds.

“The maize takes about three months to mature, and cowpeas 45 days. We use manure and fertiliser and have been experiencing abundant harvests,” said Joseph Lonyia, the scheme’s chairman.

One can harvest up to 50 bags of maize, each 90 kilogrammes, per acre, compared to just five when the area previously depended on insufficient rains, he added.

“I have never stopped selling my tomatoes and vegetables. The proceeds from my two-acre piece of land have enabled me to take my four children to school. I also have enough to feed my family,” said Christine Emanman as she pruned her gigantic sukuma wiki (kale).

Emanman has also bought 10 goats and rears chickens for sale.

About 50 kilometres away is another irrigation scheme comprised of some 200 farmers.

With support from World Vision, the Lomosing’o Vegetable Farmers group has installed tanks in which piped water from River Turkwel is collected for distribution to the farms.

World Vision is working with five such schemes in Kainuk and has spent more than Ksh2 million on empowering farmers to be food secure, said Stephen Kipchumba, the organisation’s area development facilitator.