Learning Beyond Borders: Baringo Farmers Travel to Makueni and Kitui Counties for Climate-Smart Agriculture Exposure
In April 2025, a group of farmer cooperative leaders from Baringo North and Tiaty Sub-Counties of Baringo County, Kenya, travelled to the Kenyan counties of Makueni and Kitui. Accompanied by representatives from the Baringo County Government’s Departments of Cooperatives, Agriculture, and Livestock, the farmers travelled with a shared goal: to explore successful arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) farming technologies and innovations that are helping communities thrive despite the growing challenges of climate change. The trip was organized by Nuru Kenya, ensuring it was both logistically seamless and meaningful in terms of learning and reflection.
The windy roadway that leading into Baringo County, 2024
Learning Trip Goals for Baringo County Farmers
As farming in Baringo County is especially challenging, this visit was designed to open the farmers’ eyes to practical solutions and strategies that have enabled neighboring communities in Makueni and Kitui to produce food for themselves and their animals in addition to generating income, even under harsh climatic conditions characterized by erratic rainfall and poor soil fertility. From rainwater harvesting systems to drought-tolerant food and fodder crops including innovative livestock management practices, the trip offered invaluable insights into climate adaptation.
For many of the farmers, this trip was a rare and exciting opportunity. Leaving Baringo County for organized educational visits is not a common experience. This offered them a fresh perspective and inspired hope that, with the right knowledge and support, climate-resilient agriculture is within reach for their communities too. This kind of experience offers farmers more than just a change of scenery—it’s a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and resilience.
Brief Backstory: Baringo County Farming
Baringo County sits in a challenging arid and semi-arid region encompassing Baringo North and Tiaty Sub-County. Despite harsh climatic conditions that lead to extreme droughts and flooding, farmers here are actively adapting their agricultural practices, guided by Nuru Kenya’s training and support.
Baringo County, 2023
Following a similar learning trip to Migori County in 2024, farmers began implementing climate-smart techniques such as Zai pits, tree planting, certified (high-quality) seed use, and the establishing of farm ponds. These practices are helping them build resilience against drought and poor soil fertility.
Nuru Kenya is currently working with 29 cooperatives across Baringo County—all of which participated in the latest learning initiatives. Exposure to successful farming in similar ecological zones, like Makueni and Kitui, is proving vital. It not only equips farmers with practical climate-smart solutions, but also builds belief that farming can work and even thrive in their tough environment.
Learning from Peers: Makueni & Kitui Counties
Throughout the trip, the group toured six diverse farms, gaining firsthand insights into practical solutions suited for dryland farming. They explored pixie and mango orchards, dairy operations, horticulture farms, and witnessed technologies such as farm ponds, solar dryers, fodder choppers, and storage systems. Farmers were particularly impressed by the effective use of Zai pits and composting using organic manure, as these are improving yields despite challenging conditions. The visit offered not just technical exposure, but also encouragement—proof that with the right tools and mindset, transformation in Baringo is not just possible, but it’s already beginning.
Demonstration of Zai pit demarcation before the digging process starts, 2025
Water Harvesting, Irrigation, and Soil Health: Foundations for Resilience
One of the most striking takeaways was the range of water harvesting and soil improvement strategies in use. Farmers saw farm ponds capturing rainwater for use during dry spells, and roof catchment systems collecting rainwater for both household use and irrigation purposes. These systems were often powered by solar pumps, reducing fuel costs, ensuring reliability, and supporting environmental sustainability.
Farm Pond, 2025
Efficient irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler systems showcased how even smallholder farmers can conserve water while improving yields. Another highlight was the use of Zai pits—small, circular planting basins that capture water and concentrate nutrients to boost crop growth in poor soils.
Baringo County farmers learning about water harvesting and conservation methods, 2025
Baringo County Farmer: Wilson Lokuko Chairman Kipnai Cooperative
Last year, Joseph, a Baringo County farmer and cooperative leader, shared his concerns about farming and inconsistent rainfall in Baringo County.
“Our main challenge here is water. […] To get water, we have to go all the way down there, and it’s quite a distance. Even when it comes to farming, the challenge is that, in the dry season, we have nothing to farm. But when it rains, we try hard to cultivate vegetables. Because when it dries, everything here dries.” – Wilson Lokuko
After traveling and learning about water management, Wilson has plans for navigating the dry season. Wilson learned that Zai pit technology is highly effective for retaining moisture, even after rainfall ends, which benefits crop growth. He has already implemented the technique by digging over 45 Zai pits and planting maize and beans, and he expects a good harvest. Wilson plans to increase the number of Zai pits to over 100 and focus on planting fodder, using goat manure to improve soil fertility.
Wilson Lokuko at his homestead-Tiaty, Baringo County, Kenya, 2025
Diversified Crop and Livestock Systems: More Options, Less Risk
The visit also revealed the power of diversification. On several farms, fruit trees like mango and pixie oranges were intercropped with legumes, a strategy that enriches soil, diversifies income opportunities, and helps to mitigate risks, as farmers aren’t solely reliant on one type of crop Farmers also explored vertical gardens, a creative way to grow vegetables in small spaces, enhancing household nutrition and boosting sales.
Pixie fruit trees intercropped with beans in Makueni County, Kenya, 2025
Livestock systems were equally impressive. Farmers learned how pasture establishment can transform dairy productivity, and how integrated poultry farming (such as with Kenbro and Kienyeji chickens) not only provides meat and eggs, but also manure for soil fertility.
Baringo County Farmer: Lilian Kisa
When Lilian, a Baringo County farmer, observed that the climate and terrain in Kitui and Makueni closely resemble her home in Tiaty, she was inspired by the farmers’ dedication to soil and water conservation. She was especially impressed by their efforts to prevent water loss during the rainy season and their success in earning income from fruit trees and livestock. Motivated by this, Lilian plans to dig 400 Zai pits by next year, expand her fodder and fruit farms, and keep a dairy cow. She has already planted fodder crops, vegetables, and fruit trees. She has also shifted her farming approaches, now planting in rows, digging trenches, and establishing a fodder tree nursery.Lilian at her maize farm-Tiaty, Baringo County, Kenya
Lilian at her maize farm-Tiaty, Baringo County, Kenya, 2025
Renewable Energy and Post-Harvest Innovations: Adding Value, Cutting Losses
During the visit, farmers saw firsthand how solar dryers are helping reduce post-harvest losses. These dryers preserve cereals, fruits, vegetables, and even herbs hygienically and efficiently, allowing farmers to store products longer or sell them at higher value.
“What stood out for me was the use of solar dryers to preserve produce,” one farmer shared. “It’s something I never imagined could be possible in our area.”
External view of solar dryer, Makueni County, Kenya, 2025
Internal view of simple solar dryer for drying cereals and vegetables-Makueni County, Kenya, 2025
Perhaps most inspiring was Kamaki Farmers Co-operative Society Limited value addition of honey. Using basic processing and packaging tools, the cooperative has created a branded honey product with extended shelf life and wider market reach. This model sparked ideas among Baringo farmers about processing their own honey, milk, and horticultural produce.
Farmers listening keenly during a beekeeping and honey value addition training at Kamaki Farmers Co-operative Society Limited-Kitui County, Kenya, 2025
Jonathan Lotulia: Ward Agriculture Officer at Baringo County
During the training trip, Jonathan gained valuable insights. He was especially impressed by the unity and collaboration from Makueni and Kitui farmers, the strong role of women in farming and alternative livelihoods, and the successful use of climate-smart techniques such as Zai pits, terraces, and crop diversification. Jonathan is now motivated and inspired, seeing his own potential in Baringo County. He plans to implement 300 Zai pits, adopt basins, expand vegetable farming, introduce composting, and preserve vegetables through drying techniques on his own farm.
The Nuru team and the Ward Agriculture Officer (Jonathan) supporting Lilian to plant drought tolerant fodder-Tiaty, Baringo County, Kenya
Why Peer Learning Works: Lessons That Stick
What made the trip so impactful was the relatability, farmer-to-farmer nature of the learning. Seeing people from similar ecological zones succeed made the possibilities feel tangible.
“When we hear it from experts, it’s one thing,” a farmer said. “But when we see another farmer doing it with their own hands, it becomes real.”
Baringo farmers returned home energised and ready to share their experiences with fellow cooperative members. Top practices identified for piloting include Zai pits, farm ponds, solar drying, and pasture improvement, with an emphasis on local adaptation and farmer-led experimentation. The farmers who travelled for this learning experience have become champions of change, ready to share their knowledge, lead by example, and inspire others across the county. Next steps are focused on integrating these learnings into Nuru Kenya’s extension programs and aligning them with Baringo County’s development plans.