It's full stomachs and bulging wallets for Kwale's Zai pit farmers

His ability to comfortably manage four wives and his 27 children proves that Chigamba has a lot in store.

Chigamba's heavily built body is another indication that he is well-fed. 

Although he lives a simple life, there is no day that he and his family have slept on an empty stomach or pleaded for relief food.

For almost three consecutive years, Chigamba has been harvesting maize, vegetables, cowpeas, and green grams despite the prolonged drought that ravaged most parts of Kinango.

As neighbours live in dismay, Chigamba and his family have little to worry about as food is in plenty.

In March, he harvested 20 huge sacks of maize, four sacks of cowpeas and three sacks of green grams in just half an acre of land. 

The food is enough to take his family through months before another harvest season is ready.

"I can't remember when I last went to the shop to buy unga. Everything comes from my farm and I have plenty of food," he said.

At the moment, the farmer is expecting a booming harvest since the rains have begun.

Chigamba has embraced modern farming technology, more so conservation agriculture.

He is using the Zai pit farming method to reduce soil moisture stress and improve crop productivity.

One Zai pit can hold four to 10 seeds depending on the size. Chigamba normally does over 1,350 pits.

More so, he uses quick maturing certified seeds that are drought and disease tolerant.

Chigamba and several other residents received the technology from the WWF-Kenya organisation in partnership with the county government.

They trained the farmers and empowered them to become food sufficient and improve lives through modern farming.

Chigamba and many others across the county are making a fortune from climate-smart agricultural techniques.

"Since I was trained I never bothered to look back. I farm every day because it has changed my life," he said.

Chigamba said he only needs to do as many pits as possible for him to make good harvests in a small portion of land. 

Before he could get little or nothing from 10 acres of land, which was tiresome and demoralising.

The old man said the new farming technology has brought joy to his life. It has enabled him to keep his family intact.

"Get this from me, if you want peace with your wives just feed them well. Other things will get in line automatically," he said. 

Chigamba said he solely depends on farming and none of his wives or children go hungry because the harvests are ever ready.

He said the children are in school because of farming and his wives are in good health.

Chigamba said Zai pit farming reduces all the hard work and gives him ample time to attend to his wives.

In another village in  Mwalewa, Lunga-Lunga sub-county, Hamadi Bakari Tsembea, Mariam Saidi and Ruwa Mwaruwa Nyamawi are also benefiting from the WWF project.

The farmers grow maize, vegetables, tomatoes, bringles and bananas among other crops.

According to Nyamawi, they do row crop farming method that helps them to constantly produce food in case water from river Umba goes dry and rains fail.

He said they have managed to feed the Mwalewa market vegetable sellers and families because of modern farming.

"We have been the ones supplying food to people during the entire drought season because we are empowered," said Nyamawi.

He said as people complain of drought and erratic rains their food baskets are full, and so are the pockets.

Nyamawi recently harvested tomatoes on his half-acre land earning him Sh40, 000.

Mariam said the new farming skills made her maximise production and profits. She sells some food and consumes the rest.

She said previously, she could barely harvest anything but after being trained with or without rain food and money are guaranteed on the table. 

"I didn't know farming can be done even if rains fail and with the right knowledge you can be food sufficient," she said.

However, Tsembea said harsh climatic conditions and diseases are still a problem.

He said although the crops can withstand dry weather they produce better if they get enough water.

Tsembea said because river Umba was recently affected by drought most of the water had dried making it impossible to irrigate.

He said they also don't have enough money to buy the right pesticides to fight emerging crop diseases.

County agricultural officer Lance Mwadiga said they trained the farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture.

He said they are helping farmers to effectively adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change by producing food without causing further harm to the environment or killing animals.

"We are trying to help the community conserve the environment by using suitable farming technologies," he said.

Mwadiga said the new farming methods help in soil and water conservation.

He said, for example, Zai pits can hold any small drops of rainwater on the ground thus preventing water loss and land infertility since one pit can be used to plant for four years.

Mwadiga said they encourage farmers to use the right seeds for the best results.

The officer said they also equip farmers with research skills to better their farming.