In many parts of Kenya, the period between harvests has traditionally been known as the “hungry months.” During this season, families often struggle to stretch their food supplies until the next crop is ready. Through Farming God’s Way, a conservation agriculture approach promoted by World Renew and local partners, families like Dominique’s are building food security, increasing income, and creating a more hopeful future.

For Dominique and his wife in Ndeiya, Kenya, the hungry months were once a regular part of life. Today, thanks to training and support provided through World Renew programs funded by the Foods Resource Bank (now Growing Hope Globally), their family is producing more food, earning additional income, and facing the future with greater confidence.

Farming God’s Way Increases Harvests

One of the most significant changes for Dominique’s family has been learning and applying conservation farming techniques known locally as Farming God’s Way.

This approach focuses on caring for the land by minimizing soil disturbance and keeping the soil covered throughout the year. Ground cover helps protect valuable topsoil from erosion while improving soil health over time.

Farmers also use mulch to retain moisture in their fields. By conserving water in the soil, crops can continue growing even during drier periods when farming was previously difficult. As a result, families can often grow multiple crops throughout the year instead of relying on a single harvest.

Mulch provides additional benefits as well. It helps suppress weeds, reduces the need for costly inputs, and can discourage some pests that thrive in dry conditions. These advantages help farmers lower expenses while improving productivity.

The results have been remarkable for Dominique and his family. Since adopting these techniques, they have doubled their harvests and improved the quality of the crops they produce.

For example, a potato plant that once yielded approximately 0.5 kilograms of potatoes now produces around 2 kilograms under Farming God’s Way practices. By rotating crops, Dominique and his wife also harvest cabbage and beans from the same land, creating a more diverse and nutritious food supply.

Their success has not gone unnoticed. Neighbours who have seen the improvements on Dominique’s farm have begun adopting the same methods in their own fields.

Diversifying Income Through Livelihood Opportunities

Improved farming practices have also freed up valuable time.

With fewer weeds to manage, Dominique and his wife spend less time maintaining their fields. Although they constructed fencing to protect mulch from livestock, the reduction in weeding has allowed them to pursue additional income-generating activities.

One opportunity came through training provided by World Renew’s local partner organization: rabbit production.

While rabbits have long been present in the region, they were not commonly raised as a source of income or nutrition. Community training sessions introduced families to the benefits of rabbit farming, including its potential to provide protein and additional earnings.

After completing the training, Dominique received a rabbit and began building his herd. Over time, he grew the operation to 30 rabbits and started earning supplemental income through rabbit sales.

The family also established a kitchen garden beside their home, where they grow crops such as corn, arrowroot, and kale. These nutritious foods help diversify their diet and strengthen household food security.

Building Resilience for the Future

Life still presents challenges, but Dominique and his wife are grateful for the progress they have made. Improved harvests, diversified income sources, and better food availability have helped them build greater resilience. They have even been able to save enough money to purchase a cow.

Most importantly, they hope their experience will encourage other families to explore sustainable farming practices and discover how small changes can lead to lasting improvements.

World Renew continues to work alongside local communities, churches, and partners in Kenya to strengthen livelihoods, improve food security, and build resilience. We invite you to pray for farming families, community leaders, and partner organizations as they work together toward lasting change. You can also support World Renew’s ongoing work in agriculture, livelihoods, and community development around the world.

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in 2013 and has been updated for clarity, accessibility, and current organizational references.