Turkana farms are source of hope in difficult year

It was a challenging year to start a new irrigated farm in Kokel, Turkana, Kenya, reports Eric Lorupoe, who took over the management of Turkana water and farm projects from CMF missionary Gene Morden last year.

Then, in addition to the problems of COVID-19, Turkana was hit with a plague of locusts.“It took quite a while for the beneficiaries (Kenyan farmers) to clear the land, so it was March before we were able to fence the farm, mark the plots and teach them the principles of Farming God’s Way,” said Eric.

“Turkana and Marsabit counties have been hit hard and turned into breeding grounds for the locusts,” said Eric. “This is worrying as it poses a serious threat to our already precarious food security. Farms next to Kokel Farm that were planted before the locusts came suffered a lot as the locusts caused devastation to crops and vegetation in the area.”

But against all odds, the Farm Team and the local farmers continued to work hard to ensure the irrigated farms are still a success, as they remain the only source of hope for the local people.

“The Kokel Farm was successfully planted and is doing well,” Eric added. “The beneficiaries are so happy for the support and the opportunity to grow their own food. We continue to pray and hope for a bountiful harvest!”