Agriculture is largely at the mercy of the climate. Too much rain, too little rain, or simply rain at the wrong time can devastate a farmer’s crop. An intense downpour may wash away newly planted seed, leaving the farmer with the prospect of no crop or the expense of replanting. Agriculture remains the strongest backbone of our economy; besides providing food it is an important economic pillar in Coast region which calls for proper use of the land.
Residents of Kinango have experienced a boost in agricultural productivity as a result of adopting soil conservation practices such as contour ploughing, tree planting, constructing of gabions and construction of terraces known as ‘fanya-juu’ terrace; a soil and water conservation measure used in degraded areas to help preserve topsoil and increase farms productivity.
Terraces constructed at Mavirivirini, Kinango.
There has been an increase in numbers as small-scale farmers of Mwache micro-watershed which include: Mdune, Mavirivirini Asili, Mwangani and Maweu villages have adopted the technology.
Over 80 farm households have doubled their income as result of adopting fanya-juu terraces in their farms. Farmers have embraced terrace farming despite the unreliable rain patterns where CDA supports only 60% of the terraces done on each farm, while the remaining 40% is completed by the individual farmers. So far, a cumulative total of 148km (446.5ha) of terraces were established in the Mwache watershed.
“Farmers are receptive and willingly participate in trainings on good agricultural practices, which has seen them put more land under agriculture”, says Esther Kirigha, CDA Food Security Officer. The future looks bright for Mwache residents, as adoption of this farming technology contributes to an increase of farm productivity and reduction of soil erosion.
There has been an increase in numbers as small-scale farmers of Mwache micro-watershed which include: Mdune, Mavirivirini Asili, Mwangani and Maweu villages have adopted the technology.
Over 80 farm households have doubled their income as result of adopting fanya-juu terraces in their farms. Farmers have embraced terrace farming despite the unreliable rain patterns where CDA supports only 60% of the terraces done on each farm, while the remaining 40% is completed by the individual farmers. So far, a cumulative total of 148km (446.5ha) of terraces were established in the Mwache watershed.
“Farmers are receptive and willingly participate in trainings on good agricultural practices, which has seen them put more land under agriculture”, says Esther Kirigha, CDA Food Security Officer. The future looks bright for Mwache residents, as adoption of this farming technology contributes to an increase of farm productivity and reduction of soil erosion.
