“We shall survive”: Determination of A Rural Farming Community in Western Kenya
RDN Agribusiness Cohorts Surviving Covid-19
The small- scale farmers with whom Riana Development Network works are at risk from the negative effects of Covid-19. Tangible progress has been made, with youth farmers and women being supported to embrace agriculture as a livelihood option and a food security strategy. Agricultural produce positively contributes to health and nutrition of their families and neighboring communities.
With Covid-19, the cohorts of new agribusiness farmers faced health and economic challenges that could potentially cripple their livelihoods. Unavoidable Government safety directives resulted in restricted movements, interrupted or halted work schedules etc. This directly impacted on access to farm inputs e.g. seeds and fertilisers. It also impacted on the cost of transport to get produce to markets.
Through UK Aid invaluable support, Riana was able to adapt to the situation and integrate farm safety measures into agricultural activities through provision of hand washing facilities with tanks and tapped containers, combined with advice to farmers on protective measures and social distancing. Agricultural and business skills training sessions continued safely.
Mr Opiyo, one of the youth farmers expressed his worry when the restrictions came into place, “we did not know what would happen to us. Not being able to farm would have caused my family to cut back on food and we would have no income-thank you Riana”. Mrs Omolo who set up a village kiosk through the project says, “I am still selling chicken and eggs during lockdown and it is really helping me to support my five children who are at home because of school closures”. Tabitha, one of Mrs Omolo’s children interrupted the interview with the loud proclamation, “even me I ate an egg and a sweet potato in the morning”. The area chief expressed his gratitude to Riana for supporting the effort to contain the spread of Covid-19. He said, “without work these people cannot pay for medicine when they are sick, without work they cannot get food to stay healthy. This is a good initiative”.
Interviews were peppered with messages acknowledging the difference that the UK Aid and Riana Development partnership is making. A feeling of hope and the will to survive beyond Covid-19 is almost palpable!
