A group of herders from the Welkitab area has turned to dry land farming as a survival strategy in the face of the ongoing drought crisis. For many years, these pastoralists have relied on livestock farming as their main source of livelihood. However, the perennial droughts and devastating loss of livestock have left many families struggling to make ends meet, prompting a shift towards agriculture in a bid to secure alternative income and food sources.
The farmers, once hesitant about the potential of cultivating crops in such a dry region, are now reaping the benefits of their new ventures. Although they have embraced farming, they are still contending with significant challenges, especially the lack of consistent water supply for irrigation. This makes farming conditions difficult, even for drought-resistant crops.
Yakub Abdi, one of the farmers in the group, highlighted the persistent water scarcity as a major hurdle. “The biggest challenge is the lack of water,” he stated, urging the county government to invest in digging ponds or wells to ensure a sustainable water supply for farming activities. Without proper irrigation systems, farmers’ efforts to grow crops in the dry soil could remain limited.
Ibrahim Mohammed, another member of the farming group, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of governmental support. “We are ready to take the steps needed to farm, what we need is support from the government to sink a borehole,” he said. Their resolve to pursue farming has grown stronger as they witness small successes in cultivating crops, including watermelons, which are proving to be well-suited to the harsh, dry environment.
The watermelon farming initiative is seen as a potential game-changer for the region. Watermelons are relatively drought-tolerant, making them an ideal crop for cultivation in arid areas. In addition to watermelon farming, the residents are exploring the possibility of growing fodder for their livestock, aiming to ensure their animals’ health and nutrition during times when grazing land is scarce.
Despite the optimism among these farmers, they remain dependent on the government’s intervention to help address the challenges of water scarcity. With the right support, these farmers believe that dry land farming can offer a sustainable livelihood and improve food security for their families.
As Garissa residents continue to face the realities of climate change, their ability to adapt and innovate by diversifying into farming could set a valuable precedent for other regions grappling with similar drought conditions across Kenya.
