AGRA

For years, Mrs. Nzomo watched as farming consumed nearly every waking hour of her family’s life. Alongside her husband, she toiled under the scorching Kitui sun, planting, weeding, and harvesting, only to reap disappointing yields. The relentless cycle of labor left little time for anything else—house chores were rushed, personal time was limited, and the burden of farming weighed heavily on her shoulders.

“Before,” she began, her voice soft but filled with conviction, “our lives were consumed by the farm. From sunrise to sunset, it was endless work. We were always tired, always worried about the next harvest. It was hard.”

The traditional farming methods they relied on were exhausting and unproductive, yielding little despite the immense effort they put in. With soil fertility declining and the effects of climate change making farming even harder, she often felt trapped in an endless struggle.

Her husband’s struggles with traditional farming had taken a toll on the entire family. The meagre harvests meant long hours, constant worry, and little time for anything else. “There was barely enough food, and I had no time for my own chores, let alone anything else,” she explained.

But everything changed when her husband embraced regenerative agriculture through the Strengthening Regenerative Agriculture in Kenya (STRAK) project. With new techniques such as zai pits, mulching, and integrating livestock into farming, their workload was drastically reduced. One of the biggest game-changers was mechanized land preparation—they now hire a tractor to dig planting basins, significantly reducing the time and energy spent on the farm.

“Farming has become easier and more enjoyable. With the use of regenerative practices, I now have more time to take care of my home, my family, focus on personal projects, and even help my husband more effectively in the fields,” she says with a smile.

Not only has regenerative farming given her more time, but it has also transformed their family’s livelihood. They now produce enough food to sustain their household, with surplus produce for sale. The additional income has allowed them to invest in livestock, beekeeping, and poultry farming, diversifying their sources of revenue.

For Mrs. Nzomo, the benefits of regenerative farming go beyond productivity—they extend to empowerment. She is now in a better position to contribute to decision-making on the farm and actively participate in its management. “Before, farming felt like a burden, but now I actually enjoy it. Seeing the results of our efforts—healthy crops, well-fed animals, and financial stability—motivates me every day,” she says.

Encouraged by the transformation in her own life, Mrs. Nzomo is calling on other farmers, especially women, to embrace regenerative agriculture. “Farming doesn’t have to be exhausting and unrewarding. With the right techniques, it becomes productive, sustainable, and even enjoyable. I urge other women to take part in regenerative farming—it will change your life just as it has changed mine.”

She also emphasized the importance of community and knowledge sharing. “We need to learn from each other and support each other,” she said. “Regenerative agriculture is not just about farming; it’s about building a better future for our families and our community.”

As the sun set over the Nzomo farm, casting a golden glow over the thriving crops and contented livestock, Mrs. Nzomo’s words echoed with a powerful message: regenerative agriculture is not just a farming technique; it’s a pathway to a more fulfilling and abundant life.