Sofia Ali, a farmer from Wajir County, is the secretary at Sundus Farm, an agricultural project run by a team of dedicated farmers who have turned to farming as an alternative source of livelihood.
Sofia is among other women farmers who are at the forefront of changing Wajir’s traditional pastoralism into agriculture.
These resourceful women found not only an additional source of livelihood but also created a base for a stronger diversified economic future for their community.
Their experience shows how toughness and creativity can come from hardship, proving that agriculture can drive sustainable development even in tough conditions.
Together with the county government of Wajir, WFP has been at the forefront in offering vital assistance to women farmers and collectives like Sundus.
These women thanked the World Food Program for providing them with shed nets, solarization equipment, and capacity-building training that have gradually increased their crop yields.
Their farming practices have been greatly improved by WFP support for essential infrastructure and critical skills.
Transitioning to agriculture in the arid region of Wajir presented several challenges for the women of Sundus Farm, who were initially without agricultural experience and had to start from scratch.
Working closely with agricultural extension officers from the Wajir County administration, the women picked many cues on modern farming techniques, soil management, and crop choices best suited to their environment.
At Sundus Farm, Sofia and fellow farmers grow several crops and fruits such as tomatoes, pawpaws, and watermelons.
Semi-arid lands are the next food basket, says young graduate who quit job for farming
The farm’s produce is marketed locally and distributed to nearby towns, reducing the area’s dependence on imported food.
This farming initiative, in turn, helped the price of food to become relatively stable and provided access to fresh, healthy produce throughout the region.
Women from Sundus Farm share knowledge and experiences with nearby villages, mentor new farmers, and advocate for sustainable agricultural practices.
They increase awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship and community empowerment.
Inspired by the success of their first harvest of tomatoes, pawpaws, and watermelons, the women of Sundus Farm are hopeful about the future.
They plan to grow different crops and explore value-added processing to boost profits and expand their market reach.
The group also plans to set up a communal market for their produce and is open to partnerships that can improve their farming methods and yields.