The Borehole That Changed Everything: Habiba’s Secret to Farming Success in Arid Kenya
The bucket feels heavy in her weathered hands, but Habiba Abdullahi carries it with purpose across the sun-baked earth. Each drop of precious water she pours onto the African foxtail grass represents defiance – against a climate that seems determined to defeat her, against expectations of what a 70-year-old widow should be doing, and against the assumption that meaningful agriculture simply cannot exist in one of Kenya’s harshest environments.
Under the scorching Wajir sun, where temperatures soar and rainfall is but a distant memory, Habiba tends to her expansive farm with the dedication of someone half her age. The water comes from her borehole, drilled a few years ago when she decided that waiting for rain was no longer an option. In a few weeks, she tells visitors with quiet pride, this grass will be ready for harvest and storage, ensuring her animals have feed during the inevitable dry months ahead.
The last time Wajir received rainfall was April, and even that was so minimal that farmers like Habiba were left with no choice but to rely entirely on underground water to keep their crops alive. In a county where the annual rainfall averages just 373.6 millimetres – or 31.1 millimetres per month – such reliance on alternative water sources isn’t just practical, it’s essential for survival.
“Welcome to my farm,” Habiba says warmly as she leads visitors through her green oasis. Looking around at the thriving vegetation, one could easily mistake this plot for something found deep in Kenya’s central highlands rather than in the heart of one of the country’s driest regions.
Her farm tells a story of remarkable diversity. Kales and spinach grow alongside paw paws and eggplants. Lemon trees provide shade for pepper plants, while maize and sweet potatoes complete the picture of agricultural abundance. This variety isn’t just about personal preference – it’s a calculated strategy for both sustenance and income.
“The borehole has helped me get water to irrigate my crops and enable them to survive these harsh climatic conditions,” she explains. “I eat fresh food from the garden and sell the rest.”
The numbers tell their own compelling story. Every month, Habiba earns approximately Sh50,000 from selling her farm produce – an income that rivals many urban salaries and far exceeds what most would expect from farming in such challenging conditions.
“The money I make from the farm has helped cater for my needs and also help educate my grandchildren,” she says with evident satisfaction. “I must say that farming is a very good thing, and it pays.”
Her success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Buyers from Wajir town regularly make the journey to her farm, creating a steady stream of customers for her vegetables and other produce. She never struggles to find a market for what she grows.
Beyond vegetables, fruits also generate substantial revenue. Her paw paws and lemons are particularly popular, adding to her monthly earnings and diversifying her income streams.
But Habiba’s agricultural empire extends beyond crops. She’s also a successful livestock farmer, currently owning 35 cows and 55 goats. To ensure these animals have adequate feed throughout the year, she dedicates significant portions of her land to growing African foxtail grass and Napier grass.
Her approach to livestock management reflects the same strategic thinking she applies to crop production. When drought isn’t threatening, her animals graze freely using traditional methods. However, during dry periods, she relies on the hay she produces and stores from her own grass crops.
“During the dry season, I do not suffer as I have enough pasture to give my animals,” she explains. “This has saved me from losing any animals during famine, as has been the case in this region.”
The grass serves a dual purpose – feeding her livestock and generating additional income. She sells extra hay at Sh60 per bale, creating yet another revenue stream from her carefully planned farming operation.
Habiba’s journey into farming wasn’t accidental. She inherited her passion from her late father, who was also a farmer.
“My father was a farmer, and I therefore took after him,” she reflects. “It is very fulfilling being a farmer, and more so in a dry area like this. I have been farming for the last 15 years, and I love it.”
At 70, many might consider retirement, but Habiba shows no signs of slowing down. “Even after clocking 70 years this year, I am not yet done with farming and am not about to stop doing it anytime soon,” she declares.
Her operation has grown substantially over the years. She now manages three separate farms and employs six farmhands to help with the daily operations. Understanding the value of what she’s built, she has also hired a security guard to protect her farms – a testament to both the success of her venture and the challenges of farming in remote areas.
Her story unfolds against a backdrop of broader agricultural challenges in Wajir County. Rain-fed agriculture here is limited to depressions and drainage lines where seasonal flooding provides slightly more moisture. Irrigation using underground water remains restricted to areas with permanent shallow wells and mega pans.
The county’s aridity severely limits food production, which contributes only 20 to 30 per cent to income and food security. The main crops that survive in these conditions include sorghum, drought-tolerant maize, beans, melons, cowpeas, green grams, and horticultural crops like mangoes, citrus, kales, spinach, tomatoes, and sweet and hot potatoes.
Government data reveals the scale of the challenge: only 3,120 hectares of the county’s total arable land of 424,252 hectares are currently under food crops – representing just 0.7 per cent of available agricultural land.
However, there are efforts to change this reality. The county government of Wajir has excavated several mega water pans for irrigation and developed initiatives aimed at attracting more residents to farming.
Winston Mugo, the Wajir East Sub-County Agricultural Officer, explains how the county supports local farmers. “The county has helped some of the locals make shallow wells which they are using to irrigate their crops,” he says.
In Baruago Ward alone, the county works with 30 women’s groups engaged in various agricultural activities, including vertical gardening.
“The county government has assisted these groups with tanks, irrigation systems, and solar systems to help them with their farming,” Mugo explains. “This has helped lower their cost of farming.”
These women’s groups don’t limit themselves to vegetables. They also grow fodder for their animals and for sale, creating multiple income streams similar to Habiba’s approach.
The market for locally produced goods is robust, with farmers taking their produce to Soko Mjinga market in Wajir town, where demand consistently exceeds supply. For years, traders in this market have been importing farm produce from Nairobi and Meru, making locally grown alternatives especially valuable.
The climate data underscores just how remarkable agricultural success in this region truly is. Wajir County is officially one of the driest regions in the country, receiving an average of only 24 days of rainfall per year – essentially two days of rain per month. The driest period comes in July, when an average of just 3.4 millimetres of rainfall occurs. Even November, the wettest month, brings only an average of 96.9 millimetres of rainfall.
Yet within this challenging environment, Habiba continues to thrive, water her African foxtail grass, and plan for future harvests.
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