Embracing sustainable agriculture to cope with climate change in the Tana Delta

Over the years, communities living in arid and semi-arid flood-prone areas, like the Tana River Delta, have relied on traditional farming methods to grow food crops. One such method is recessional farming which entails planting crops in seasonally flooded areas after the waters have receded, utilising leftover moisture and nutrients. In recent times, however, floods have become erratic and farmers have had to endure long and unpredictable spells of drought occasioned by climate change. To deal with these climate challenges, Tana Delta farmers are adopting modern techniques such as cultivating fast-maturing, drought-tolerant crops. One such crop that has gained popularity and acceptance among farmers is green grams.

"The new variety of green grams we are farming offers better returns than maize or beans which we’ve grown for years. It is more tolerant to drought, pests and diseases, takes a short time to mature and gives farmers a good harvest,” says Thomas Masha a farmer from Sofia village.

During the April-June long rains period, Nature Kenya, through The Restoration Initiative (TRI) project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), distributed 2,000 kilograms of certified green gram (KS20) seeds to 1,000 farmers. In January, Nature Kenya distributed 1,000 kilograms of green gram seeds to 500 farmers in Maziwa, Feji, Kulesa and other villages. The seeds were planted on approximately 250 acres of farmland, with a seed rate of four kilograms per acre. Monitoring data collected in March and April indicated an impressive harvest of 119,357 kilograms valued at Ksh. 9,548,560 going by the local price of Ksh. 80 per kilogram.

“Increased harvests mean increased food and improved livelihoods. Green grams are well suited for this area,” says Rehema Igwo, a farmer from Maziwa village in the Tana River Delta.

Other advantages of green grams over traditional crops like maize, Rehema notes, are their nutritional value. Green grams contain high levels of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

“We use surplus harvest to supplement our household dietary needs. Green grams are a good source of protein,” she says.

Other modern agricultural practices being promoted by Nature Kenya include agroforestry, the use of organic manure to improve soil health, and integrated pest management through combining chemical, mechanical and biological control methods. Farmers have also been trained to identify early warning signs for drought and floods to enable them to plan their planting and harvesting. The farmers have also been linked to extension services offered by the Tana River County Government Department of Agriculture.

“With good agronomic management practices, farmers can harvest up to 540 kilograms of green grams per acre in some areas of the Tana Delta. The Department of Agriculture advises farmers on what crops to grow and what farming techniques to use for good harvests. Additionally, we are continuously working with farmers, sensitizing and building their capacity to monitor the weather patterns so that they can take proactive measures to protect their crops,” says Susan Koech, an Agriculture Extension Officer with the Tana River County Government.

Flood recession farming is offering a promising opportunity for sustainable agriculture in the flood-prone regions of the Tana Delta. Farmers in the area are now using sustainable farming techniques to grow crops despite the ever-increasing erratic and unpredictable weather patterns. The shift translates to enhanced food security and improved livelihoods. The farmers’ resilience and adaptability serve as a beacon of hope for sustainable agriculture in similar regions.