In 2019, Natiira Ateni Self help group installed a drip irrigation scheme in their two-acre farm located in Turkana county, 500km from Nairobi in Kenya. Previously the group relied on rainfed agriculture which resulted in low and inconsistent yields.  The irrigation system which was funded by USADF ensures an all-year food production for these farmers who are farming in a semi-arid climatic zone in Kenya. Drip irrigation saves water compared to canal or flood irrigation systems. The drip irrigation system has increased their crop productivity and reduced their workload, they no longer have to rely on manual watering of plants. The Natiira farmers grow spinach, groundnuts, kale, capsicum and legumes in the farm for their home consumption. The bulk of the produce is sold in neighbouring markets and towns such as the Kakuma refugee camp that is 20 kilometres away. From their sale of vegetables, members generate income to buy other foodstuffs they do not produce. They can also pay school fees for their children and meet other basic needs including health care. The surrounding community also fetches water for their household use from the borehole. The USADF grant towards the irrigation project has enabled the Natiira community by creating better livelihoods in crop farming that produces stable jobs and better incomes.

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