Managing Drought
Training and support in the use of permaculture design underpins the permEzone pilot. The permaculture principles provide an approachable and universally applicable framework for the design of living systems. These principles guide the selection of design elements that will work together to create thriving and resilient ecosystems. Our approach of trusting the farmers and their community to take complete ownership of the process empowers them to develop the skill-sets and community structures they need to become ecologically and economically resilient for the long-term.
One incredibly important element in this design process is WATER - how to manage water on the farm on the full spectrum from too little to too much.
Last time we talked about how, despite the erratic rainfall, the farmers are making good use of the little rainfall they receive by implementing their new farm designs: putting what they’ve learned into practice, and starting to build practical experience of what works in their local environment.
Now we have some more stories for you, from farmers putting into practice what they learned during their permaculture training with C-MRA, illustrating different approaches to making the most of the water they have available to them, and how that is helping them to manage drought conditions on their farms.
One incredibly important element in this design process is WATER - how to manage water on the farm on the full spectrum from too little to too much.
Last time we talked about how, despite the erratic rainfall, the farmers are making good use of the little rainfall they receive by implementing their new farm designs: putting what they’ve learned into practice, and starting to build practical experience of what works in their local environment.
Now we have some more stories for you, from farmers putting into practice what they learned during their permaculture training with C-MRA, illustrating different approaches to making the most of the water they have available to them, and how that is helping them to manage drought conditions on their farms.
Earthworks
Below, you will see photos of farmer John Leonard who has constructed swales at his farm to sink and store excess rainwater in the soil. He says that: “These swales help my crops to stay green and healthy even during drought. My soil will always remain moist and cool, and this enhances crop health.”
In his farm and food forest, you will find a variety of crops and he attributes this to soil water conservation because of swales. He even grows crops that require high water content such as arrow roots. He applies the principle of 3-S’s to Slow, Spread and Sink the water using earthworks. These are enhanced by growing napier grass along the contours on his sloping farm which slows down any floods caused by heavy rain, helping to prevent soil erosion
In his farm and food forest, you will find a variety of crops and he attributes this to soil water conservation because of swales. He even grows crops that require high water content such as arrow roots. He applies the principle of 3-S’s to Slow, Spread and Sink the water using earthworks. These are enhanced by growing napier grass along the contours on his sloping farm which slows down any floods caused by heavy rain, helping to prevent soil erosion
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Farmer Leonard constructing swales to store excess rainwater in the soil
Drought tolerant crops
Most of the farmers have opted for drought tolerant crops such as cowpea, sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes, and local vegetables that can withstand high heat and minimal soil moisture content.
 Sweet potato used as a staple food- Esther Ondieki |  Cow pea leaves eaten as vegetables- Erick Ouma |
“My backyard will never lack cowpea leaves, during drought - other crops wither but my cowpea always survives” - says Erick Ouma.
Sweet potato is one of the staples grown in Western Kenya. This is ideal because it withstands drought and usually has high production compared to maize which is the main staple. It is an important crop since it can be eaten at all times. Can be taken with tea for breakfast, can be taken with beans for lunch or dinner. “I feed my family with sweet potatoes. This crop is always available even during drought, I always harvest it in a piecemeal when need arises. Even neighbors come to purchase for their families which earns me income”, says Esher.
Cow pea, which is used as a vegetable, is always available during drought periods during which you will hardly find other exotic vegetables such as kales, cabbages, and spinach. The cassava crop is also hardy and highly tolerant to drought. It is a very important staple food to the community.
Sweet potato is one of the staples grown in Western Kenya. This is ideal because it withstands drought and usually has high production compared to maize which is the main staple. It is an important crop since it can be eaten at all times. Can be taken with tea for breakfast, can be taken with beans for lunch or dinner. “I feed my family with sweet potatoes. This crop is always available even during drought, I always harvest it in a piecemeal when need arises. Even neighbors come to purchase for their families which earns me income”, says Esher.
Cow pea, which is used as a vegetable, is always available during drought periods during which you will hardly find other exotic vegetables such as kales, cabbages, and spinach. The cassava crop is also hardy and highly tolerant to drought. It is a very important staple food to the community.
Greywater
Some farmers recycle water, mainly from their kitchens, so it can be re-used for watering their crops during dry periods.
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Mr. Oketch has made a furrow where he channels greywater from his kitchen to water his kitchen garden
“I instructed my wife that all the water that has been used in the kitchen needs to be channeled in the little kitchen garden, through the furrow I made after learning about recycling grey water. As you can see in the garden, I have plenty of different crops and that it stays this way if during drought”, says Mr. Stephen Oketch.
Mr. Oketch has a variety of crops in his little kitchen garden including arrow roots.
Mr. Oketch has a variety of crops in his little kitchen garden including arrow roots.
Mulching
Some farmers practice mulching using crop residues to conserve the soil moisture content of their farm. “My farm stays green however much it shines, and I am thankful for the training I received on the importance of mulching”, says Eunice.
 Mulched local vegetables- Eunice |  Mulched cassava used as staples- Eunice |
 Phelister mulching her local vegetables. |  Well-mulched vegetables at Mr. Oketch farm |
Container Gardening
Growing vegetables in a container minimizes utilization of water. This therefore enhances resilience of the community during droughts. The little water available is therefore used economically. A good number of farmers are adopting this technique in order to produce vegetables in plenty even during dry spells for food and for family income generation.
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The above practices have greatly improved the community resilience to drought, hence constant availability of food especially vegetables and staples. This has also ensured stability of households since these families have adequate food to feed their families and also sell the surplus in order to increase their household incomes.
Please help build on the success of the permEzone pilot to make this incredible program available to many more communities of farmers, so that they too can re-shape the future of their families, their farms, and their local economies –
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