Garissa residents look to dry land farming to deal with drought

The farmers decried that the loss of livestock has left them impoverished, necessitating them to look for alternative sources of subsistence and sources of income.

The group has not taken up farming of drought-resistant crops.

“The biggest challenge is the lack of water. We would want the county government to dig ponds or wells,” Yakub Abdi said.

Ibrahim Mohammed, another farmer, said, "We are ready to take the steps needed to farm, what we need is support from the government to sink a borehole."  

He continued, "We initially didn't believe we could do farming on the land because this is a very dry region, but we are happy that it is working."

The residents have started watermelon farming and are looking at growing fodder for their livestock.