This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
Women's Group in West Pokot Transforms Subsistence Farming ¶
November 18, 2019
Forty women in West Pokot County, Kenya, have turned their lives around by transitioning from subsistence farming to a lucrative venture, earning a steady income and improving their children's nutrition.
According to group leader Dorcas Ngaliman Wishan, the women pooled resources to invest in irrigated agri-pastoralism and poultry rearing, tackling the high malnutrition rate among their children.
With a start-up capital of Sh20,000, the women purchased drought-resistant vegetable seeds and 20 chickens, which they raised on a five-acre demonstration land near River Muruny.
"One of our members donated the land, and we planted vegetables, which earned us a reasonable profit," Wishan said.
Thanks to a donation of 384 water pipes and a 5,000-litre water tank by Action Against Hunger, the women were able to extend the supply of piped water to more members for domestic and agricultural purposes.
"We no longer depend on our husbands for money to buy balanced diet food for our children and meet basic needs like clothing," said Sylvia Mesunja, one of the group officials.
The group's main markets are Makutano and Lodwar, in Turkana county, where they sell their produce at attractive prices.
"A sack of sukuma wiki (kales) goes for Sh3,000, carrots Sh6,000 per bag, and onions Sh850 per net," said Julia Lusili, one of the members.
The women have also diversified into poultry rearing and making decorated traditional bead necklaces, earning them good money.
"I earn an average of Sh1,500 per week from the poultry business and additional Sh1,200 from the decorated necklaces," said Joyce Chepkiach, who rears more than 30 chickens.
The group has also opened an account at the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Makutano branch, where they have deposited almost Sh0.5 million, empowering them to access financial credit to advance their investment.
