The government identified 20 counties ravaged by the worst drought in 30 years.
Turkana was one of the regions adversely affected by the drought, yet in the Turkwel region, community members have plenty to eat.
When you visit Turkwel, you are greeted by sprawling green fields of cowpeas, maize, watermelons, pumpkins and groundnuts.
The region is enjoying food security at a time when most Kenyans are starving courtesy of the Napak Irrigation Scheme started two years ago, in July 2020.
PanAfricare Kenya is a non-profit that pioneers self-help development programs creating self-sustainable projects aimed at empowering societies socioeconomically.
In the Turkwel region, the organization provides irrigation infrastructure to community members to utilize River Turkwel.
To make the irrigation scheme sustainable, farmers are empowered holistically.
Irrigation systems, boreholes, canal construction and donation of water pumps to the farmers are among the empowerment programs.
The boreholes have ensured that the fields do not dry when water in River Turkwel decreases due to prolonged droughts.
Diversification of farm crops planted is informed by extension services offered by PanAfricare, the organization also offers farm inputs since most community members cannot afford them.
The success of the Napak Irrigation Scheme comes at a time when the Kenyan government announced its intent to increase the number of dams to boost food security.
“Irrigation is the ultimate solution in guaranteeing food security in our country.
We are working on innovative investment mechanisms through private-public partnerships to construct at least 100 dams,” President William Ruto stated, highlighting the need to shift from rainfed production to irrigation.
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