Climate Smart Agricultural Practice Improves Farmers Crop Yield in Busia County
“My name is Hannah Karanja from Nambale.” Hannah’s voice echoed with a mixture of pride and resilience as she began narrating her story. Hannah’s tale is one of unwavering determination and adaptation. Before diving into farming in 1993, her life had traversed through the complexities of entrepreneurship and facing the harsh realities of single parenthood after her husband passed away in 1989. Yet, her spirit never wavered. Hannah has seen the fallout of extreme weather firsthand.
“In my childhood the weather patterns were steady, the rains came at specific times, and so our parents knew when to plant and when to harvest,” says Hannah. “But now the climate is very unstable. If you do not take the right measures, you will not have a good harvest.”
“When I started farming, I used to farm sugarcane. But things changed when I attended a seminar held by the District Commissioner.” Her voice carried the echoes of her past experiences. It was during this seminar that her farming methods underwent a significant shift. With the guidance of Farm to Market Alliance (FtMA), she ventured into diverse crops like maize, potatoes, sorghum, beans, and Soya, adopting novel techniques that discarded traditional farming tools.
In a bid to keep her farm sustainable and profitable, Hannah began farming using Conservation Agriculture (CA) aimed at building healthy soil that is more resistant to drought, heat and other climate impacts. The adoption of Sustainable Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, especially Conservation Agriculture (CA) and the abandonment of traditional farming tools, significantly amplified Hannah’s yield. From a mere 9 bags per acre, her harvest now reaches between 18-24 bags, effectively doubling her agricultural output.
Hannah’s primary CA practice is minimum tillage, crop residue retention (Mulching) and crop rotation, interchanging maize and beans. Thes practices have directly resulted in the doubling of her harvest and income. The surplus income has been instrumental in providing education to her children and grandchildren, securing their futures.
The shift in farming practices not only elevated Hannah’s income but transformed the lives of her family and community. The surplus income enabled her to educate her children, shaping them into successful professionals. Her grandchildren imbibed her farming prowess, ensuring the continuity of agricultural heritage.
“It’s from this farm that even my last child went to the university, graduated and is now a lawyer,” she says. “My second-last child is an engineer and now I even teach my grandchildren this method of farming.”
“Even at my age, my love for farming remains unwavering.” Her determination was evident. Looking ahead, Hannah envisioned a future sustained by continued adoption of CSA principles. Her aspiration is to acquire a greenhouse to ensure a consistent supply of vegetables for their community, reducing dependence on external sources.