Alice’s irrigation journey: Finding independence in community
After the loss of her husband, Alice Odhiambo faced the urgent challenge of supporting her five children—including one with a disability—in rural western Kenya. A former research professional who had left her job to care for her family, Alice now needed to build a new source of income from the ground up.
After shifting her focus to farming, she began by raising poultry and fish. But with limited access to water and no irrigation system, her production was small and seasonal.
Access to credit and irrigation tools
Seeking ways to strengthen her operations, Alice joined the Motherland women’s group and became a member of Siaya Seed SACCO—a local savings and credit cooperative and a long-time partner of KickStart. Through the SACCO, she accessed farming training and a small loan, which she used to purchase a KickStart MoneyMaker Starter Pump.
The pump gave her a more reliable way to irrigate crops using water collected from rainwater catchment and a nearby well. With the help of her children, she set up a basic water system and began irrigating a larger area than she had been able to manage by hand. This allowed her to grow a wider variety of traditional vegetables and improve consistency, especially during the dry season.
“Before the pump, I had a small area,” Alice said. “But with the pump, I could reach farther.”
Diversifying income through agribusiness
Her improved yields and growing reputation for quality produce allowed her to reinvest in other parts of her farm. She also expanded her income streams by opening a small cafeteria in Madea town, where she uses vegetables and fish from her farm to prepare meals for customers. In addition, she supplies fish to the nearby V.I.P. Hotel in Ugunja, connecting her farm to local markets.
Managing setbacks with planning and support
Farming inevitably comes with challenges, and Alice’s experience has been no exception. Like many farmers in her region, she has had to contend with increasingly unpredictable weather, including recent dry spells that reduced her vegetable yields despite having access to irrigation. Health setbacks have also affected her ability to work consistently. At the end of last year, Alice contracted malaria, which left her unable to manage the farm for several weeks.
During that time, production slowed, and some crops suffered. However, the savings she had built through Siaya Seed SACCO provided a critical buffer. With that financial cushion, she was able to cover her family’s immediate needs and resume her operations once she recovered. Her ability to weather this period without serious disruption underscores the value of combining irrigation with financial planning and community-based support systems.
Sharing knowledge and strengthening her community
Beyond her own household, Alice regularly shares her pump with neighbors at no cost. She believes that lack of access to tools shouldn’t prevent others from farming. She also attends local training sessions on poultry, fish farming, and horticulture, staying informed and connected with other farmers.
A model for smallholder-led growth
Alice’s story is one of practical problem-solving and continuous learning. By accessing affordable irrigation, participating in farmer networks, and building multiple sources of income, she has created a more secure livelihood for her family. Her efforts reflect the growing role of smallholder farmers who are using technology and training to improve food production and income in their communities.
As a smallholder irrigation success story, Alice’s journey demonstrates how the right tools, when paired with financial access and farmer-led knowledge-sharing, can lead to long-term progress and financial independence. Irrigation has not only allowed her to grow crops year-round, but also to build a business that adapts to changing conditions and supports those around her.
Across KickStart’s network, many farmers are taking similar steps—using irrigation pumps to expand their farms, reduce dependency on rainfall, and diversify their livelihoods. For Alice, the results are clear: more control over her farm, more food for her household, and new opportunities to contribute to her local economy.
