Farm ponds: New tech farmers use to tap runoff water for irrigation

Farmers in Matanya, Laikipia county, have devised innovative ways to tap runoff water.

They dig shallow farm ponds of about a metre deep to harvest both runoff and rainwater. The ponds can hold water for about four months, which boosts soil moisture and ensures farm produce thrive even during dry periods.

The farming technology, which is in pilot phase, is being supported by Akina Foundation.

The innovation seeks to address climate change challenges, with 25 farmers in Matanya embracing it.

The organisation is working in collaboration with Egerton University, which supplies farmers with drought resistant crops like maize, sorghum, millet, sweet potatoes and napier grass.

Patrick Ndumia, a farmer and beneficiary of the technology, said he had not harvested any crops for three years due to drought but after using farm ponds, he got sufficient harvest last year.

"I am happy with this new farming method. There are changes compared with previous years when we had no farm ponds. It was very dry unlike now where I have plenty of food, thanks to these ponds,” he said.

Beneficiary Muriithi Kihuria said he is supporting his family from the proceeds he gets from his farm.

"I have harvested sufficient food and I applaud the donors for promoting modern farming. My call is to residents to embrace the technology in alleviating hunger,” he said.

Farmer Julia Nyeri said they received drought-resistant crops from Egerton University.

Akina foundation director Avijit Malik said the farming technology is ideal in dry areas since it is affordable.

“The challenge farmers experience here is that they do not get sufficient rainfall and to address that, especially during drought season, they only need about 200 cubic meters of water," he said. 

He said after engaging with farmers in Matanya, they noticed that due to adverse climate change they experienced crop failure.

Malik said they piloted pond farming in July 2023 and 31 ponds have been constructed in Matanya.

He said with sufficient resources, they will be able to support all the farmers in the county and hence appealed to agricultural stakeholders for partnership and funding.