Farmers in N. Kuresoi were used to the conventional agricultural practices where they had to till their lands to earn their daily living. Additionally, the dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides had been rampant on traditional crops, but with the introduction of the Climate Resilience Adaptation Livelihoods (CRAL) project farmers are gradually embracing better farming practices and incorporating new crop varieties on their farms.
Part 1
Ms. Mumbi locally identified as Mama Wangeci is one such example; she has conformed to the saying that disability is not inability. Being disabled and unemployed in the formal sector never barred her dreams and desire to support her children. She took up farming to meet her basic domestic needs on her plot of 50 by 80.
When EPTF came to the area and recruited the Resource Poor Households (RPHs), she was among the 33 People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs). From the trainings on land management and conservation agriculture practices offered by the CRAL team, she has managed to lease nearby un-purchased plots, amounting to one acre, to expand her farming. With time, travelling to the training station became a challenge to her so she sent her care giver and nephew, Bernard Kimita, to attend the training sessions on her behalf and afterwards implement what he learned on the farm together with her.
On a separate piece of land, she has done mixed farming, afforestation through planting of fruit trees and vines, and she is incorporating farming as a business. Mama Wangeci has seen the need of having farm records for accountability & projection for sales and purchases. She practices market timing, especially with the leafy vegetables to maximize on profits. She is also doing soil conservation practices such as mulching, non-till approach, Integrated Pest Management, crop rotation and planting herbs like fennel to help manage pests and increase her production and income. She said being part of the EPTF training has been worth the time she has taken to learn on better land management and agribusiness.
Left: Ms. Mumbi and her nephew Bernard leave no arable space untended as she plants various grains and vegetables due to the rise in demand. Middle: Janet Kironji of EPTF gives farming support services to Ms. Mumbi and her nephew. Right: Ms. Mumbi and Bernard in a different section of the farm.