SHIFTING FROM LIVESTOCK TO FARMING

Mandera County is an arid and semiarid region. For years people have always thought nothing green can come out of this county. However, this negative perception is being replaced by a new reality as the community known for its livestock-rearing livelihoods turn to farming.

Excited by the huge potential of hitherto untapped natural wealth from the rich unexploited soils and irrigation, many farmers are adopting innovative ways of agricultural production. From sprouting greenhouses never seen in the region before to lush green maize plantations; the story of Mandera as the land of goats, sheep, cattle and camels is changing rapidly to that of an oasis with fruits, vegetables and grains. The aim of the rejuvenation of agriculture is to achieve food security and surplus for export.

Mandera Governor Ali Roba at Gadudia Irrigation Scheme

The department of Agriculture and Irrigation led by County Executive Mohammed Omar Absiye has targeted more than 200,000 acres of land to be irrigated. Governor Ali Roba says that with increased acreage under irrigation, the story of famine will be a thing of the past: “We want to increase farmers’ income and improve food security.”

In the context of agricultural production, land suitability for growing crop production is limited to availability of water hence the concentration of crop production activities along River Daua and other places with laggas where water settles.

Generally the soils in most parts of the county are fertile since they have not been exploited. Some 4,000 hectares is being irrigated although 15,000 and 20,000 hectares in the county can be irrigated.

Mr Absiye says there is need for the policy to focus on increasing the area under irrigation by developing irrigation infrastructure and exploiting groundwater sources. There is also need for sustainable land use practices and environmental conservation. 

The range of crops that can be grown in the county includes cereals, pulses, horticultural crops, oil crops and fruits such as pawpaws, mangoes, bananas as well as vegetables like onions, tomatoes and possibly kales (sukuma wiki), spinach and cabbages.

The Agriculture and Irrigation docket is exploring the planting of watermelons, grafted fruits like mangoes, lemons and guavas to boost production. Most of the produce is transport by road to other markets including Nairobi.

Governor Roba says Mandera is yet to exploit its agricultural potential: “We are targeting investments in fruit processing because we can be the Israel of Kenya. We have plenty of fertile land and water from River Daua. We can increase production to commercial levels and make fruit processing a huge industry employing locals and generating income for farmers.”

Mandera East MP Abdulaziz Ali Farah argues: “Mandera has the sweetest watermelons on earth because the soil is full of calcium.” Mandera South MP Adan Huka says many farmers near water points have also embraced greenhouses to make their families food secure. “We need to empower them and protect the crops from pests and diseases and they will be profitable to our farmers.” Shifting from livestock to farming.