Nairobi: In Kapsowar, Elgeyo Marakwet County: Smallholder farmer Mercy Jerop has adopted regenerative agriculture techniques to mitigate the adverse effects of climate variability on her maize and bean production. By implementing practices such as organic composting, minimal tillage, crop rotation, and cover cropping, she is enhancing soil health, improving water retention, and increasing her farm’s resilience to prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall patterns linked to climate change.
According to Kenya News Agency, faced with erratic rainfall, declining soil fertility, and frequent crop failures, Jerop has embraced practices that restore her land’s natural health. The result is stronger yields, healthier soil, and a level of resilience that many of her neighbours are now seeking to replicate. ‘I used to lose a lot of produce during the dry seasons,’ says Jerop. ‘But since I started recycling crop waste, planting cover crops, and using compost, my land holds more water, and my crops survive even when the rains fail.’
Jerop is part of a growing number of farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet turning to regenerative agriculture, a climate-smart approach that focuses on rebuilding soil health, increasing biodiversity, and working with nature rather than against it. Instead of burning crop residues after harvest, she now recycles maize stalks and bean husks into compost. The organic matter improves soil structure and retains moisture, giving her crops a better chance during dry spells. She has also adopted crop rotation and intercropping, planting maize and beans together to improve soil nutrition and reduce pests naturally. By avoiding heavy tillage and using natural fertilisers, she has cut down her production costs while improving her yields.
Elgeyo Marakwet County has not been spared the impacts of climate change. Shifting rainfall patterns, delayed seasons, and unexpected droughts are leaving many farmers vulnerable. According to agricultural officers in the region, regenerative agriculture offers one of the most effective and affordable solutions to climate-related farming challenges. ‘Regenerative practices help rebuild soil health and conserve water,’ says Raymond Cheboi, an Agriculture Officer in Marakwet West. ‘Farmers like Jerop are proof that these methods work and can be scaled up.’
Jerop now practises contour farming to prevent soil erosion and has planted indigenous trees and shrubs around her plot for shade and biodiversity. These agroforestry practices help regulate the farm’s microclimate and improve crop resilience during temperature extremes. Her success is turning her into a local champion for sustainable farming. Women’s groups and young farmers frequently visit her farm to learn how regenerative methods work. ‘I show them how to make compost and how to plant in a way that protects the soil,’ she says. ‘I tell them it’s not about a large piece of land or expensive inputs; it’s about how you treat the soil.’
‘Regenerative agriculture is more than just a farming method; it’s a mindset shift,’ says Cheboi, adding, ‘It restores our ecosystems and protects our communities from climate shocks.’ In a region where the majority depends on rain-fed agriculture, regenerative farming offers not only environmental restoration but also food and income security. She is optimistic that land gives back what you give to it, and if taken care of, there will be something to be passed down to the next generation.