In the semi-arid fields of Kanyongonyo, Kenya, farming has long been shaped by unreliable rainfall and depleted soils. For Janet, these challenges once meant low yields and constant uncertainty about whether her crops would survive the season.

That began to change when Janet received training through the Nature+ project, where she learned Conservation Agriculture practices designed for dryland farming. Determined to put her training into action, Janet transformed her farm using practical, climate-smart techniques. She dug more than 265 zai pits, which are small planting basins that capture rainwater and concentrate nutrients in the soil. After the recent rains, the pits are filled with healthy, thriving crops, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding dry landscape.

Janet has also planted two acres using ripping technology, a method that loosens the soil while minimizing disturbance and conserving moisture. She mulched part of her land with crop residues and practiced mixed cropping, combining millet, maize, cowpeas, and green grams. These crops work together to protect the soil, enhance fertility, and increase resilience against climate-related shocks.

“Seeing my crops doing well after the rains gives me hope,” Janet says. “I believe these methods are the way forward for farmers like us, especially with the changing climate.”

Today, Janet’s farm has become a place of learning for others in her community. As a Nature+ Conservation Agriculture champion, she welcomes fellow farmers to see the results for themselves and learn how these techniques can be applied to their own land. With the support of donors like you, Janet’s journey is showing that even in challenging environments, resilience can take root and grow.