FIELDSNAPS GARISSA
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Weaving a bread basket in Garissa
aize is one of the most common agricultural crops in Kenya, yet remains relatively unknown in certain areas.
to drink. “It was a time like this, just after Ramadhan. We said amongst ourselves, there is water here, maybe we can start something,” she said.
A story is told in North Eastern Kenya, about a new immigrant who planted maize in his piece of land as neighbors curiously watched. The neighbors, decided: ‘we will wait and see what sprouts.’ One dark night, they invaded the farm cutting off all tassels. They believed they were harvesting the ‘fruits’ of the strange plant.
Although, the river banks burst and destroyed their crop, they were determined to go on. “Since it had happened and we lost our crop, we would believe God and start over,” Mama Khadija said. According to the Agriculture officer, the five farming groups start their day at the farms by 6 am.
Another follows that a group of herders drove their animals straight into a banana plantation in a neighboring region. They got arrested, but they could not understand why. These two stories were narrated at Siqley irrigation farm, a Humedica International Aid funded project in which World Concern is partnering with the community in crop farming as an alternative form of livelihood. The latter story actually involved a new farmer at the project who was with his herd that fated day. In this region, farming has been enshrouded in mystery; but now a pastoral community that continues to receive relief food from aid agencies can finally see a connection between the maize flour they receive, and a growing maize stalk that bears the pounded grain. Before their partnership with World Concern, a few individuals in the community - although lacking in implements, expertise and necessary seeds - started to grow maize and cow peas along River Tana’s bank. Benefits of the partnership With this partnership they have received seeds, farming implements, a store and expertise through a government offi-
So far, banana buds, cow peas and maize have been planted on sections of the 8 acre land which is divided into four main farms. They are also preparing ground for water melons as tomatoes and onions sprout at the the nursery to be transplanted when ready.
Mama Khadija at her new vocation
cer training and supervising their activities. “They are working in groups and have committees. Every group is given an acre or two to work on, Agricultural Extension Officer Ibrahim said in an interview at the farm. “I do some demonstration for them like how to plant, spacing and the furrow method. Currently there are also farmers from the other farms to see what we are doing here,” said Ismail. Early farming adopters Mama Khadija, one of the early adopters of farming had just returned from Tharaka, Meru after a ravenous drought that wiped her herd, ended. Thirsty, she dashed to the river bank
Culture vs farming Aden Adow who also lost his family’s herd over the drought knew very little about farming. He wants to try all kinds of seeds, hoping to harvest enough to enable them to sell at the market. Although, it is cultural for women to stay at home as their husbands go to work, Adow’s wife is with him at the farm. “It’s interesting to see a Somali woman holding a jembe, not only holding it but also the passion she has.” remarked World Concern’s Garissa Projects Officer, Mutua. Mama Khadija seems to concur: “If its tractors, poles, seeds or advice, bring it, we need it all. Even if the water runs out, we are not leaving our farms,” she said, “I have God with me, and my eyes are open now. If I will still be alive, I think I will be very advanced in two years.”