Youth in Mpeketoni, Kenya, Successfully Mitigating Drought
- Alphonce Gari
- Jan 10, 2017
- 1 min read
A group of 40 youths in Mpeketoni area of Lamu county have initiated an irrigation project that is slowly turning lives in Lamu county.The 10 acre project was initiated by Jubilee Youths group and cost the county government of Lamu Sh. 4 Million .
Already after two months the site has turned from the once bushy and dry area to a green farm with different products that are being sold to the market thanks to technology.
Lamu county is among the counties affected by drought and famine with approximately 32,000 affected by household. Both Lamu east and Lamu west have highly been affected and the county government requires intervention to help the victims.
To Mitigate the disasters the county thought of a long term measure of addressing the problem that has proved successful.
The 40 group members used the funds to drill wells, clear the thickets and subdivide the 10 acres to individual pieces .
Each person had the responsibility of planting and irrigating their portions and the crops are now at harvesting stage. They planted Maize, tomatoes, onions, pepper, spinach, water melons, bananas, pepper among other crops.
Oregon State University