This archive report was first published on 15 July 2019.
Located in the heart of Turkana County, Lokichar is home to the country's oil resources, with British firm Tullow carrying out exploration activities in the region.
However, a group of farmers known as Achukule Agroforestry Group has found a way to thrive in the dusty and dry environment.
With the help of the US African Development Foundation, the group has established a five-acre farm where they grow a variety of crops, including collard greens, pumpkin, watermelons, peas, and traditional vegetables using drip irrigation.
Each of the more than 70 members of the group has a small plot of land where they grow their own crops, with the group working together to prepare the land, plant seeds, and sell their produce in Lokichar Town.
According to Rael Akeno, a member of the group, they started with 40 people in 2011 and have since grown to 75 members, with each member taking home Sh2,000 per week from crop sales.
Despite the challenges posed by the hot and sandy environment, the group has found a way to sustain their crops using two solar-powered boreholes and a system of raised tanks and drip lines.
As James Naoi, a 42-year-old member of the group, explained, 'I have six rows where I farm. On the first three I have grown African nightshade (managu) and cowpeas on the others.'
With the help of agricultural engineer Alex Otieno, the group is regularly trained on new smart-farming technologies, including the use of automated greenhouses to regulate temperature and humidity.
As Otieno noted, 'Automated greenhouses have humidifiers, which enable regulation of the temperatures inside the greenhouse.'
With their success serving as a model for other farmers in the region, the Achukule Agroforestry Group is proof that even in the most challenging environments, it is possible to find success through hard work and determination.
