Turkana Launches Farmers Field School in Natira to Boost Climate-Smart Agriculture

Turkana County, in partnership with Lotus Kenya Action for Development Organisation, has launched a Farmers Field School in Natira, an innovative programme designed to educate local communities in climate-smart agriculture. The move aims to empower both households and schools to adopt sustainable agricultural practices that enhance nutrition and contribute to long-term food security.

The initiative marks a significant shift for a county long associated with drought and food aid dependency. By introducing practical, hands-on training in resilient cropping methods, the programme seeks to build local capacity to produce food even under challenging climatic conditions.

County commits to transitioning from food aid

The Chief Officer for Agriculture and Land Reclamation, David Maraka, emphasised the importance of this partnership, stating that it reflects a commitment to transitioning Turkana from reliance on food aid to agricultural self-sufficiency. Mr Maraka praised the collaborative effort to address the knowledge gap surrounding the cultivation of nutrient-dense and climate-resilient crops.

Closing that knowledge gap is essential for improving the nutritional status of residents and mitigating the impact of climate change, which has made traditional pastoralism increasingly vulnerable to prolonged droughts. The Farmers Field School model uses demonstration plots and peer-to-peer learning, allowing farmers to observe and compare different techniques before adopting them on their own land.

Focus on schools and households

Peter Lochuch, Manager of LOKADO, highlighted the programme’s focus on stakeholder empowerment, targeting local schools and individual households. Schools serve as entry points for reaching wider communities, as children take lessons home and parents visit school gardens, creating multiple channels for knowledge transfer.

The programme emphasises crops that can withstand high temperatures and erratic rainfall, including drought-tolerant grains, legumes, and vegetables with short growing cycles. Farmers are also being trained in water harvesting techniques and soil conservation methods suited to Turkana’s arid environment.

Local leaders welcome practical approach

Community leaders in Natira welcomed the launch, noting that previous agricultural training efforts sometimes failed because they did not account for the harsh realities of farming in the region. The Farmers Field School model, which adapts techniques to local conditions rather than prescribing standard solutions, has gained traction in other arid counties as an effective way to build farmer confidence and competence.

The partnership between Turkana County and LOKADO builds on similar initiatives implemented elsewhere in northern Kenya, where pastoralist communities are increasingly diversifying into small-scale crop production as a buffer against livestock losses during drought cycles.

For now, the Natira Farmers Field School stands as a test case. If successful, officials say the model could be replicated in other wards across Turkana West, offering a pathway toward reduced food aid dependence and greater household resilience in one of Kenya’s most climate-vulnerable regions.