Promoting sustainable farming in Kibwezi
In Kibwezi, Elijah Mutinda has turned his agricultural aspirations into reality through unwavering commitment and the support of transformative programs and partnerships. His journey is a testament to the power of innovation, resilience, and community empowerment within the agricultural landscape.
Elijah’s journey in agriculture was significantly refined when he participated in the ENABLE-TAAT incubation program, where his determination to learn and improve his farming techniques quickly caught the attention of his peers and the community. The turning point in Elijah’s journey came when the Kibwezi Hortipreneur Youth Group (KHYG) established a partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives in Makueni County through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP). This collaboration aimed to introduce climate-smart irrigation systems to farmers in rural areas, promoting sustainability in agriculture amid climate challenges. To ensure this is achieved, a lead farmer who has the potential to provide training and irrigation services to the farmers adequately was identified.
Elijah Mutinda, who lives within a community with many farmers, was identified and nominated as a lead farmer. In this role, he provides training and guidance to farmers and farmer groups in Kibwezi. Because of his nomination, he was rewarded with a solar irrigation system, which drastically enhanced his farming practices and became a tangible demonstration of climate-smart agriculture to his community. With the solar irrigation system as a pivotal tool, Elijah educates other farmers on sustainable and efficient farming practices. He is now a respected figure in the local agricultural community, having established connections with the county government and private-sector stakeholders.
Elijah effectively manages a three-and-a-half acre of farmland, empowering the entire community to adopt climate-smart agriculture, ensuring continuous food production and sustainable livelihoods throughout the year.
