"Serikali imetusaidia": Nyanza farmers thriving with better flood control

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Farmer Kennedy Okoth says Nyanza growers are shifting away from sole reliance on rice by introducing maize and sunflower into their planting cycles

- Dikes and canals constructed along River Nyando have changed how farmers in flood-prone areas manage excess water on their land

- Okoth says improved roads and better rice prices are among the factors making it easier to transport produce and access markets

Farmers in Nyanza are recording improved outcomes on their land as crop diversification, flood control infrastructure and better road networks begin to ease some of the longstanding difficulties that have weighed on agriculture across the region.

Kennedy Okoth, a farmer based in Nyanza, says the decision by many growers to move away from planting a single crop has opened up new possibilities, allowing them to make more productive use of their land throughout the year.

"We are no longer depending on one crop. We can plant rice, maize and sunflower at different times," Okoth said.

Moving Away From Rice Dependence

Okoth said that before these changes took hold, rice dominated farming activity in the area, and large stretches of farmland would sit unused for long stretches after each harvest. The narrow range of crops left farmers with few options to generate income between planting seasons.

"We depended too much on rice, and after harvesting, some of the land would remain idle for a long time before the next planting," he said.

Crop rotation is now offering a practical alternative. Farmers are introducing maize and sunflower based on seasonal conditions and prevailing market prices, while also spreading the financial risk that comes with depending on a single commodity.

For years, the region's farmers contended with poor roads, costly inputs, low earnings and unreliable fertiliser supply. Flooding along the River Nyando basin compounded those difficulties, regularly submerging fields and wiping out crops before harvest.

Flood Control Eases Pressure

The construction of dikes and canals along the River Nyando has made a measurable difference to how floodwater moves across farmland in vulnerable areas. Rather than pooling on fields and destroying standing crops, excess water now has channels through which it can drain away.

"The dikes and canals have helped control flooding. Instead of water remaining on the farms and destroying crops, excess water can drain away," Okoth said.

The flood control measures have encouraged farmers to invest more confidently in their land, particularly in areas that previously faced the greatest risk from seasonal inundation. Improved water access has also allowed growers to plan their planting schedules more reliably, while upgrades to road infrastructure have reduced the cost and difficulty of moving inputs and produce.

Okoth said the cumulative effect of these changes, if sustained, could meaningfully improve household wellbeing across the region.

"If this progress continues, farmers will have money in their pockets, educate their children, put food on the table and live better lives," he said.

He added that ongoing investment in irrigation, roads and water management, combined with reliable access to affordable inputs and stable markets, would be essential to consolidating the gains farmers have already begun to experience.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.