Farmers in Mandera County are taking bold steps to transform their agricultural landscape, reclaiming land and adopting climate-resilient practices to secure their future.
Through the Building Opportunities for Resilience in the Horn of Africa (BORESHA-NABAD) programme, implemented by RACIDA, 500 farmers have begun revitalizing their farmland with the support of certified drought-tolerant seeds and modern agricultural training.
The initiative has also linked farmers with local Agrovet suppliers, ensuring they have reliable access to quality inputs.
Working closely with the County Department of Agriculture, RACIDA has facilitated training sessions by extension officers to strengthen farmers’ technical capacity.
The focus is not only on improving yields but also on enhancing market supply and food security in the county, which is among the most vulnerable to recurrent drought.
Among the farmers benefiting from the programme is Abshira Ali Abdullahi, who has successfully cleared her farmland of the invasive Prosopis juliflora weed.
She is now preparing to plant using improved drought-tolerant seeds. Abshira’s efforts mirror a broader shift among farmers in the region who are opening up more land for cultivation and diversifying their practices.
“This is about more than farming. It is about reclaiming dignity, building resilience, and securing livelihoods in Mandera,” said one of the programme facilitators.
By combining land reclamation, improved inputs, and technical support, the BORESHA-NABAD programme is helping farmers in Mandera shift from surviving droughts to thriving despite them, laying a stronger foundation for food security and sustainable livelihoods in the county.