Cassava: Farmers’ Secret Weapon Against Drought

As climate change brings increasingly unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts and threats to maize production, could cassava offer Kenyan households a reliable alternative to ugali when climatic conditions become extreme? At the West Pokot Agricultural Trade Fair, EcoFrontline Africa meets the BIOGI team showcasing an extraordinary cassava variety known as Elephant Tusk. Carefully selected by farmers over the years, this variety produces remarkably long tubers measuring more than two metres. It is also reported to tolerate some of the most common cassava diseases and withstand drought, making it an interesting candidate for climate-resilient food production. For generations, ugali made from maize flour has been a staple on Kenyan dinner tables. But maize farming can become increasingly difficult when rainfall is unreliable, crops fail and the cost of farm inputs rises. Cassava offers another option. Once harvested and properly processed into flour, it can be used to prepare ugali and other familiar foods, helping diversify household diets and reduce dependence on maize alone. Unlike maize, cassava can tolerate periods of limited rainfall once established, although yields still depend on factors such as soil conditions, planting material, crop management and the severity of drought. Its potential to provide food under challenging climatic conditions makes it worth greater attention in Kenya's climate adaptation and food security strategies. The story of Elephant Tusk also highlights the importance of farmer-led innovation. Through years of observing, selecting and preserving varieties with desirable characteristics, farmers contribute to agricultural biodiversity and help identify crops that may perform well under local conditions. Could farmer-selected cassava varieties help Kenya safeguard its food supply as climate extremes intensify? And could cassava become a more prominent alternative to maize ugali in drought-prone communities? Watch this EcoFrontline Africa feature to discover Elephant Tusk cassava and explore why indigenous agricultural knowledge, crop diversification and farmer-led seed selection matter for the future of food security in Kenya. Subscribe to EcoFrontline Africa for more stories on climate-resilient agriculture, agroecology, farmer innovation and sustainable food systems across Africa. #Cassava #ClimateChange #FoodSecurity #ElephantTuskCassava #ClimateSmartAgriculture #FarmerInnovation #Agroecology #WestPokot #EcoFrontlineAfrica #KenyaAgriculture