Dry-land farming in Kenya

@JudyEv (378372)
Rockingham, Australia
April 22, 2026 2:49am CST
When I read this article on the news website, I immediately thought of our myLotting friend, Siddi, (@SIDIKIMPOLE) who lives in Kenya. Australian farmer, Stuart Barden, now lives 50 kms south of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. In 2009, Stuart went to Kenya on a Nuffield Scholarship to study ‘grain growing in low rainfall environments’. Three-quarters of the country is arid or semi-arid. Stuart applied Australia's dry-land cropping techniques to his far and it has been a great success. Over the years, the success of AusQuest Farm has seen thousands of interested persons touring the property, which borders a private nature conservation. The farm now sustains three separate businesses: growing beans and forage sorghum for market, producing and selling silage, and building fences for other farmers. The photo is mine.
8 people like this
9 responses
snowy
@snowy22315 (206395)
• United States
22 Apr
So glad it is working out well in Kenya.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378372)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Apr
It's good they are able to improve farming methods there.
2 people like this
snowy
@snowy22315 (206395)
• United States
22 Apr
@JudyEv With the coming horrendous weather, they will need to.
2 people like this
luisadannointed
@luisadannointed (10654)
• Philippines
3h
That's so nice to know. I think that is very important for any country to really know how to farm to secure food for the nation.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378372)
• Rockingham, Australia
1m
That's true. We all need food if we're to thrive.
Amber
@AmbiePam (118058)
• United States
1h
That’s really cool. It sounds like they are making the best out of a bad situation.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378372)
• Rockingham, Australia
1m
Farming methods are improving all the time but of course it always depends on getting at least some rain.
1 person likes this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (55590)
• Canada
4h
That in so very interesting. I have often wondered how countries, in this climate, manage to grow their own crops.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378372)
• Rockingham, Australia
3h
The Kenyans thought the black soil wasn't productive but it's been proved otherwise.
1 person likes this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (133290)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Apr
Glad it is working
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378372)
• Rockingham, Australia
6h
It's interesting that he decided to make his life there.
1 person likes this
SIDDI KIMPOLE
@SIDIKIMPOLE (3391)
• Eldoret, Kenya
3h
This is very encouraging. I even never new of AusQuest Farm. I am very glad to know. I hope to pay the farm a visit soon because I am sure I will learn a lot there. Thank you very much for the information my friend!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378372)
• Rockingham, Australia
40s
You're welcome, Siddi. I hope they might have something that can help with your farming.
1 person likes this
SIDDI KIMPOLE
@SIDIKIMPOLE (3391)
• Eldoret, Kenya
Just now
@JudyEv You are right my friend. They definitely have something that can uplift my farming skills.
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (14600)
• Ireland
22 Apr
@JudyEv Necessity really is the mother of invention.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378372)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Apr
Innovative ideas can have a huge impact.
1 person likes this
SIDDI KIMPOLE
@SIDIKIMPOLE (3391)
• Eldoret, Kenya
Just now
I have in fact gone through their web site and I am amazed at the great things they are achieving. It is a wonderful farm.
LooeyVille
@LooeyVille (68)
• United States
22 Apr
I enjoyed my two weeks in Kenya in 2008 and I also got to visit Nairobi
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378372)
• Rockingham, Australia
6h
I'll always be a bit sad that I didn't get to Africa. It seems an incredible country.
1 person likes this