This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
As drought ravages parts of Kenya, farmers in Machakos have found a lifeline in a new irrigation technology.
With almost 98% of the country's agriculture relying on rain-fed crops, the changing weather pattern has had a devastating impact on farmers.
However, thanks to a innovative approach, farmers in Machakos are now using farm ponds to capture, store, and provide irrigation water.
According to Raphael Kyaalanio, a farmer from Wamunyu, the technology is simple and effective: 'It takes little space on the farm,' he said.
Locals have been trained on harvesting runoff when it rains, and every farmer targeted will receive a paper lining from the county government.
As part of the project, farmers will also receive seedlings from the county government and the Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme (K-CeP), a national government scheme.
With the help of African Brotherhood Church Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki, who has started a farm pond project, farmers in Machakos are now equipped to face the challenges of drought.
As Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana noted during a forum on October 9, 2019, 'rains have become unreliable,' making innovative solutions like farm ponds crucial for food security.
