Garissa: A primary school in Garissa is leading the way in smart agriculture, providing a sustainable solution to the challenges faced by nomadic communities in the region. Yathrib Primary School, with the support of 4BM and M-lugha organizations, has successfully implemented an innovative project using cone gardens to grow crops and vegetables, addressing the long-standing issues of unreliable rains and diminishing livestock due to climate change.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project has not only yielded several harvests for the school but has also been shared with parents, empowering both students and the surrounding community. Sheila Kidenda, project manager at 4BM, highlighted the aim of the initiative, expressing hopes to expand it to other schools within the arid Garissa County. The project enables people to grow kale, spinach, and other crops using smart technology, transforming the way agriculture is practiced in the region.
The school has also facilitated training sessions for parents, allowing them to learn how to replicate the cone garden setups at their home farms. Evans Kenga, a teacher at Yathrib Primary, has been instrumental in the project, using agriculture practical lessons to engage students in smart farming techniques. His efforts have sparked interest and enthusiasm among pupils, many of whom were unfamiliar with the seedlings prior to the project.
The concept of cone gardening was introduced by Kipruto Silas, who sought to maximize output on limited land space. This method allows for planting hundreds of seedlings in areas that would typically accommodate only a few, significantly reducing water usage and labor. The cone gardens are crafted from high-density polyethylene, designed to optimize space and planting efficiency.
Despite the challenges posed by water scarcity, smart farming practices like those implemented at Yathrib Primary can significantly enhance agricultural productivity in northeastern Kenya. By adopting water-efficient technologies and climate-smart farming methods, farmers can improve resilience to climate change while boosting productivity. Collaboration between communities, government agencies, and NGOs remains crucial for making these practices widely accessible and sustainable.