The northern part of the East African nation of Kenya is hot and gets little rain. The area has been suffering from periods of small amount of rainfalls and droughts, when almost no rain falls. This has been going on for many years. People who live there say the droughts are becoming more severe.
Herders are among those suffering the most. They are people who move with their animals from place to place. But over the past few years, many of the animals have died. The lack of rain has stopped the growth of grasses and other foods the animals eat.
Many of the herders have no animals left, so they are forced to become farmers. In their culture, being a herder brings them power and respect. Farmers are not as respected as herders.
Ali Abdi was a herder. His family was considered wealthy. Mr. Abdi had about 100 goats. He moved when the seasons changed, searching for new places for the goats to eat. But in 2012 and 2013, little rain fell, and Mr. Abdi’s world changed. By the end of the drought, more than two-thirds of his goats were gone. Mr. Abdi and about twelve other men and women are trying to grow crops. It was so difficult that some of them thought it would be impossible. But now they are growing fruits and vegetables, including bananas, tomatoes, chilies and lemons.
The new farmers have to be taught everything, including preparing the land, how to plant the seeds and proper methods for watering. He says few herders have become farmers yet. But he says the number is growing. He says he sees more and more land being prepared for farming near the Tana River.
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