Sofia Ali is a farmer from Wajir County and a member of Sundus Farm where he also serves as secretary.
Sundus Farm, an agricultural venture, is maintained by a dedicated group of men and women who have turned to farming as an alternative source of income.
Sofia and other women farmers are at the forefront of Wajir’s transition from pastoralism to agriculture.
The pioneering women behind this company have not only found a new source of income, but have also laid the groundwork for their community’s more resilient and diverse economic future.
Their narrative is a striking reminder of the resilience and resourcefulness that can emerge in the face of hardship, as well as the potential for agriculture to drive sustainable development in even the most adverse situations.
The World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Wajir county government, has provided critical support to women farmers and groups such as Sundus.
The women thanked WFP for supplying shed nets, solarisation equipment and capacity-building training, which has increased their yields over time.
The WFP’s aid has substantially improved their farming practices. The women thanked the group for its services, which provided them with better infrastructure and vital skills.
Transitioning to farming in an arid area like Wajir necessitated overcoming various challenges. The women at Sundus Farm had little agricultural expertise and had to start from scratch.
They worked with agricultural extension officers from the Wajir county administration, who gave them valuable instruction in contemporary farming practices, soil management and crop selection for their specific area.
Under the farm, Sofia and other farmers grow a variety of crops and fruits including tomatoes, pawpaws and watermelons.
Sundus Farm’s produce is sold in local markets and distributed to surrounding towns, lessening the region’s reliance on imported food.
This local production has also helped to keep food prices stable and increased the availability of fresh, nutritious foods.
The ladies of Sundus Farm actively participate in sharing their expertise and experiences with neighboring villages, mentoring new farmers and pushing for sustainable agricultural practices.
“We want to show others that it’s possible to thrive through farming, even in a place like Wajir. Our journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. We hope others can learn from our story and join us in this new chapter,” Aisha Abdullahi, another farm member said.
With their early success in planting tomatoes, pawpaws, and watermelons, the women are optimistic about the future.
They intend to diversify their crops more and explore value-added processing to increase profitability and market reach.
The organization intends to open a communal market to expedite the sale of their produce and to seek collaborations to improve agricultural techniques and outputs.
