A farmer's journey to climate resilience
In Kenya, potatoes are more than just a staple food—they are a vital economic lifeline, especially for smallholder farmers like Ezekiel Kirui in Nakuru County. However, unpredictable rainfall and prolonged droughts caused by climate change have made farming increasingly challenging.
Our changing world
'Nakuru County, and Kenya in general, face significant climate challenges, particularly increasingly unreliable rainfall patterns, which make it difficult to plan - unlike the past when rainfall was consistent,' Ezekiel explains.
Once rare in this region, prolonged droughts have become a common struggle. Long rains, typically occurring from March to May, are now erratic and sometimes fail. Similarly, short rains expected from October to December have shifted to as early as August, disrupting traditional farming cycles. This unpredictability has made adopting climate-smart agricultural practices essential for farmers to survive and thrive.
Small changes, big impact
In addition to potatoes, Ezekiel cultivates beans, maize, cabbage, and peas, and keeps dairy cattle. His journey toward climate resilience began with training provided by the CRAFT project in partnership with the Starlight Farmers' Cooperative.
'One of the biggest lessons for me was surface planting. Before the training, we used to make furrows for planting, which was labour-intensive and slowed down growth. Surface planting, followed by moulding, reduced labour costs and helped the potatoes grow faster and healthier,' Ezekiel shares.
Another transformative change was water harvesting. On one of the Sigowet group’s demonstration farms, the project supported the installation of a plastic-lined water pan for rainwater collection. To reduce evaporation and prevent debris, a protective net was placed over the pan. A solar-powered pump and drip irrigation system ensured efficient water use.
With access to reliable water, Ezekiel and his cooperative members no longer face water shortages during critical growing periods. The results have been dramatic. Potato yields have more than doubled—from 4 tonnes per acre to 8–10 tonnes per acre.
Farmers are hungry for knowledge. The more we learn, the more we can grow,'
Ezekiel Kirui
Looking ahead
These changes have set a new standard for farmers in the Starlight Cooperative, building resilience against climate challenges and securing better harvests for their livelihoods.
For Ezekiel, this is just the beginning. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge with other farmers to help them increase their yields and build a brighter future. 'Farmers are hungry for knowledge. The more we learn, the more we can grow,' he says.
Ezekiel’s journey is proof that small, sustainable changes can have a big impact—not just for one farm but for an entire community.