Exploring challenges and agroecological solutions for vegetable production in semi-arid Turkana County, Kenya

Introduction Agroecological farming is increasingly promoted as a climate-smart strategy for drylands, yet evidence on its effectiveness, acceptability, and sustainability in pastoral and agropastoral contexts remains limited. This study examined constraints to vegetable production and assessed the feasibility of selected agroecological practices in Turkana County, Kenya. Methods The study combined 12 gender-disaggregated Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs). FGDs identified locally relevant agroecological techniques, which were subsequently tested by 50 households. Two follow-up visits conducted two weeks apart assessed uptake, adaptations, and willingness to continue. Results Key constraints identified during FGDs included pest infestation (83%), water scarcity (75%), and poor soil health (67%). The most adopted practices during TIPs were animal manure (59%), intercropping (51%), and use of ash (45%). Bottle irrigation (2%) showed minimal adoption due to material and technical limitations. Adoption rates were higher among agropastoralists than pastoralists. By the third visit, 79% of farmers were willing to continue at least one practice. Discussion The findings highlight that adoption of agroecological practices in semi-arid drylands is shaped by practical feasibility, resource availability, and livelihood strategies. TIPs proved effective for identifying context-appropriate, low-cost practices aligned with farmers' needs and constraints. These results provide empirical support for participatory, farmer-led evaluation approaches in dryland agroecology.