It’s harvest season once again, and farmers in Nyalani, Kinango, Kwale County, are enjoying the fruits of their labour with abundance on their tables.
The sight of plump, ripe tomatoes, bursting with colour, is not only a visual delight but also a symbol of hope and prosperity.
After months of hard work and careful cultivation and improved farming techniques have set the stage for an abundant yield.
The area, known for frequent drought, has seen farmers embrace new irrigation systems and better crop management practices, significantly boosting their output.
Practising crop rotation, farmers managed to achieve at least two harvests each year, ensuring a steady supply of produce.
With farming taking place year-round, supported by reliable irrigation systems, food production remains consistent regardless of rainfall.
The farmers are using water from the Nyalani Dam in Vigurungani.
The dam was originally constructed by the British in 1952 and was renovated in 2014 and cost over Sh230 million from the M-Pesa Foundation, the county government, and the Red Cross.
Its purpose is to address persistent water shortages and enhance food production, livelihoods, and sanitation for local communities.
The dam has a capacity of over 1 million cubic meters, supporting both irrigation and domestic needs through solar-powered pumps, which replaced the previously used, fuel-cost generators.
As the harvest period kicks in, the farmers are hopeful that this season’s bounty will not only meet local demand but also open up new market opportunities, improving their livelihoods and strengthening the local economy.
Farmer Ndoro Jilo, once weighed down by the hardships of drought, now beams with hope and confidence as he surveys his flourishing crops.
Just a few years ago, Jilo was among those devastated by relentless droughts that crippled their farms and livelihoods.
Today, however, the story is different. Having harvested bountiful tomatoes, maize, and sukumawiki, his eyes sparkle with joy and optimism.
With a thriving farm and steady yields, Jilo knows that prosperity is within reach, and his once uncertain future is now filled with the promise of both food security and financial stability.
“We are now able to produce food consistently, which enhances resilience and socio-economic conditions far beyond what we achieved in the past,” he said.
Jilo also revealed that last year, he sold 15 tons of tomatoes, earning over Sh350,000.
Before, Nyondo and other farmers depended on charcoal burning for their livelihood, as farming was infeasible due to erratic rainfall.
The reliance led to excessive tree cutting, which exacerbated the drought conditions in the area.
According to him, the county and national government introduced the Nyalani food security program which is part of the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project.
The project also provided farmers with certified seeds, pesticides, and manure, which have greatly enhanced crop yields.
Moreover, the county offers free ploughing services, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the project’s goals
The program empowered farmers to adopt smart farming practices that promoted both conservation and food security.
The locals began planting trees and employing modern farming techniques to support their families.
“We had no alternative but to cut down trees for charcoal and timber. The project provided us with a sustainable way to survive and has been successful in improving food production and environmental conservation,” said Jilo.
At a distance, Mlongo Mwazuma, 68, is seen selecting and sorting tomatoes based on their ripeness.
The 68-year-old woman appears determined and joyful, as crop farming is essential to her livelihood, making each harvest deeply meaningful.
Nyalani dam in Kinango, Kwale county.
Mwazuma shared that the community has made significant progress.
Relief supplies were once their only hope, but they now have plenty of food, and hunger is no longer an issue.
Mwazuma highlighted how farming has transformed their lives, strengthening families and driving development.
“I sent two of my children to university with the money I made from farming, and they have never had to miss pocket money or be sent home for school fees,” she explained.
Additionally, Mwazuma now participates in table banking and women empowerment groups across the county, further contributing to her community’s growth and resilience.
Another farmer Pili Omar highlighted the significant improvements in local farming practices due to training on environmentally friendly techniques.
A farmer Ndoro Jilo harvests sukumawili at Nyalani farm in Kwale County in September 2024.
For 15 years, the community engaged in harmful farming methods that not only degraded the environment but also led to poor food production.
Today, thanks to the NARIGP project, farmers can now produce a substantial amount of food on just a quarter of an acre, a stark contrast to the minimal yields of the past.
She said that while locals previously struggled to afford three meals a day, that is no longer an issue.
Omar said that women and children are now more cheerful unlike before when hunger and malnutrition reigned in the past.
She also pointed out that the programme has revitalized the once dormant and semi-arid Nyalani, leading to improved socioeconomic activities through agribusiness.
Puma Ward Agriculture Officer Joseph Kibera reported that the food security programme, which began in 2015, initially engaged around 417 farmers across 105 acres.
Currently, 67 farmers are actively participating in the project.
Kibera noted that the programme has significantly enhanced food security and nutrition, positively impacting local lives.
“While many areas in Kwale, especially Kinango, suffered from severe drought, the people of Nyalani continued to have access to food,” he said.
The Nyalani food programme has become one of the largest and most successful food security initiatives in Kinango and the entire county.
Tomatoes harvested at Nyalani farm in Kinango, Kwale County in September 2024.
Kibera mentioned that malnutrition cases are now rare, as both mothers and babies have reliable access to nutritious food and clean drinking water.
He also observed that residents living near the project are healthier compared to those in neighbouring villages.
On her part Governor Fatuma Achani noted that the county has distributed 206 metric tons of certified seeds, including maize, green grams, and cowpeas.
Additionally, 1,113 metric tons of planting and top-dressing fertilizers have been provided, along with certified seeds for high-value crops such as tomatoes, watermelons, coconuts, and cashew nuts.
She said to further reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture, the County has established 200 acres of irrigated land to improve food security.
A farmer Mlongo Mwazuma speaks in an interview at Nyalani collection centre in Kwale County in September 2024.
Achani said the county has completed over 17 dams, including the Kizingo, Nyalani Mwaluvuno, and Mwakalanga which serves locals with water for domestic use and irrigation schemes.
She said dam projects have hugely enhanced farmers’ resilience, enabling them to produce and sell 60 metric tons of tomatoes, valued at KSh 1.5 million, in the last season.
Furthermore, Achani said her administration has facilitated farming contracts between two investors and the Nyalani Farmers Cooperative Society, ensuring a guaranteed export market.
Modern agricultural technologies have been adopted, with support including five modern nursery shades, a new grain milling facility, two soil scanners, 186 walking tractors, and 68 solar-powered water pumps.
“We have worked tirelessly to support our farmers by improving access to markets, irrigation systems, and quality seeds. We remain dedicated to empowering our farmers and ensuring that agriculture continues to be the backbone of our county’s economy,” she said.
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