Transforming Kenyan drylands with climate-resilient farming

In the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya, the harsh realities of climate change have left communities especially vulnerable. Prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall and degraded soils have severely damaged agriculture, heightening food insecurity and poverty. But these landscapes can be transformed.

With our help and that of local partners, farmers are turning adversity into opportunity through new, climate-resilient solutions. By adopting vertical gardens, Zai pit technologies and dryland agroforestry, farmers are not only improving food security but also restoring degraded landscapes, conserving water and generating sustainable livelihoods.

Vertical gardens: Abundance in limited space

In Kitui and West Pokot lowlands, where water is often scarce and soils are poor, vertical gardens have become a game-changer.

These gardens are arranged in vertical layers, allowing farmers to maximize space and grow a variety of crops, including vegetables, herbs and fruits like strawberries with minimal water.

One multi-storey garden can hold up to 130 plants in just a few square feet, making it an ideal solution for households with limited water and resources.

The results have been astounding. One farmer in Kitui expressed the impact of these gardens:

"Before, we struggled to put food on the table during the dry season. Now, with my vertical garden, we always have fresh vegetables, and I've even started selling some at the market. It has changed our lives."

Zai pit technology

These areas often struggle with lack of water and poor soils, but farmers are overcoming the challenge using Zai pits, an innovative water-harvesting technique.

Originally developed in West Africa, Zai pits are small, dug-out basins filled with organic matter that captures rainwater and runoff, allowing crops to grow in otherwise unproductive soils.

A Zai pit project in Kitui County

The pits help restore soil fertility, promoting moisture retention and reducing erosion. They’re an ideal solution for dryland farming.

With the ability to support up to 20 seedlings in each pit, Zai pits significantly increase crop yields, offering a much-needed lifeline for communities grappling with food insecurity.

Agroforestry: Trees as the heart of sustainable agriculture

But trees are at the heart of these projects in Kitui and West Pokot. Specifically agroforestry, the practice of integrating trees with crops and livestock.

Trees serve multiple purposes: they provide shade, protect crops from wind, reduce soil erosion, and offer valuable products like fruits, timber, and fuelwood. When combined with vertical gardens and Zai pits, they also enhance biodiversity, combat desertification and sequester carbon, helping tackle the effects of climate change.

Agroforestry in action

Restoring land, empowering communities

Together, vertical gardens, Zai pits and agroforestry are restoring the landscape and creating climate-resilient agriculture.

Not only do they address the urgent need for food security, but they are also having a lasting impact, promoting biodiversity and bringing life to degraded lands. These initiatives are building resilience at the household level while contributing to the global fight against climate change.

As communities transform their landscapes, they also take control of their future. Farmers are learning new skills, gaining confidence and becoming leaders in their communities.

This knowledge is being passed down through generations, ensuring that future farmers will be equipped to manage the challenges of a changing climate.

How you can make a difference

This work in Kitui and West Pokot is just the beginning. With your support, more people can be reached with our projects and the transformation can spread across Kenya’s drylands.

Donate today

Help restore the drylands of East Africa, for people and planet