Drought Tolerant Crops give hope to Kenyan farmers: Martin Lumala's Story

Over the years, the international crops research institute for semi-arid tropics (ICRISAT) and partners have released many new improved varieties of sorghum, millets, pigeon peas, and ground nuts that have enormous potential to increase productivity and nutrition. However, the adoption of these varieties, especially in many countries in Eastern Africa has been low, mainly due to lack of breeder and foundation seed, lack of seed systems, and an undeveloped value chain.

With the support of the US government and under the Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) Program, ICRISAT is working to promote the improved varieties of these crops that are drought tolerant and have proven to provide an assured harvest even in poor seasons.
The program seeks to support over 100,000 farmers to grow more food for both household consumption and for commercial purposes. One such farmer is 50 year old Mr. Martin Jumbo from Busia County. Martin has been a farmer as long as he could remember, his dad was a farmer and passed the skills on to him. Since 2015, Martin began to dedicate 1½ acres of his land to drought tolerant crops and has realized an increase in the crop harvest and he is looking forward to allocate more land for the crops.
Here is his story...