Through the partnership of Sustainable Approaches for Community Empowerment (SAPCONE), a local organisation in Turkana county and funding from Dan Church Aid (DCA) farming was introduced to the community as an alternative source of livelihood. Ajikon and others were initially hesitant as they had never tried farming before and were unsure if it would be successful. With the guidance, partnership and support, from SAPCONE and DCA, Ajikon and her neighbours began cultivating crops and learning new and innovative agricultural techniques. The community is now able to grow and harvest nutritious food for their families and sell the surplus in the local market and further extend support to disadvantaged community members.  

“I feel more empowered that I can comfortably feed pay school fees, buy school uniforms, pay hospital bills, and also afford a balanced diet based from the sale of vegetables”.  - Ajikon

Photo 1: Ajikon Ereng is currently engaging in the activity of harvesting grass seed on her farm in Naotin. The purpose of this endeavor is to offer the cultivated grass seed to fellow farmers for purchase. Photo: Ricky Sumbu/SAPCONE

Increased food production in the Naotin village has allowed the community to establish a local market, creating opportunities for economic growth and reducing dependence on external aid. Ajikon has started growing grass, a venture that has proven to be profitable and earned her Sh 7000 on her first harvest. This income enabled her to pay her son’s school fees balance, purchase food for her family and allocate part of t to her grass selling business. Farming has become a popular endeavor for her community after observing how successful they have been in generating income. The community also shared with neighboring villages the knowledge and skills gained through this agricultural initiative fostering a spirit of collaboration and resilience in the face of adversity. 

Photo 2:  Ajikon is displaying her farm, showcasing the seedlings that are mature and ready for harvest, ensuring that she can differentiate which ones to pick accurately. Photo Ricky Sumbu/SAPCONE

 Ajikon is optimistic and she appreciates her empowerment and that of her community through the initiative by SAPCONE and DCA in the form of training, resources, and market access. This has helped improve her cultivating techniques in cultivating grass and other crops.