Diaries of a global farmer

“Farming is everybody’s bread and butter.”

The truth of that bumper sticker is brought home to us as we read the newspaper and ride the bus through the Kenyan countryside. The view is spectacular over the wide expanse of the Rift Valley, the breadbasket of Kenya, which may be frighteningly empty in the coming harvest.

Many fields are still covered in weeds and stubble. Their owners, driven from their farms in recent post-election violence, reside in refugee camps. It is well into planting season, and many are predicting serious food shortages if the new government does not quickly facilitate the return of farmers to their land.

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Food prices, especially for fresh produce, have skyrocketed. We know this is true in many other countries too, due to rising commodity prices, but here in Kenya the local food shortages make it worse.

We are visiting a missionary friend in Kapsabet, in the middle of the area that saw some of the heaviest rioting after the Dec. 27 election. Peace was made on Feb. 28, when the two leaders agreed to share power. By then about 1,500 people had died and 350,000 (official count from refugee camps; the actual number is much higher) were chased from their homes or had fled.

Many say the real issue behind the violence was not the election, but land. The rigged election results were a convenient excuse to oust people. Land issues in Kenya have become more problematic as the population has increased and the land base stayed the same.

There are regular clashes between herder tribes and farmers.

We passed several villages yesterday where only the charred foundations tell of life once there. Empty shells of business fronts gape at us. Behind them are the shiny new tarps of refugee camps with the UN symbol displayed prominently on the main tent.

Everyone is now urging the new government, formed only last week, to make the return of the displaced farmers a top priority. The government is promising farmers seed and fertilizer subsidies and security guards if they return to their farms.

The farmers, understandably, are afraid. “How can you go back to neighbours you saw kill your family, burn your house, and chase you away with a machete? You will not forget.”

Some are comforted when they think of how Rwanda has recovered from genocide. There is hope, but all know that healing is a hard process and will take time. In the meantime, many more will suffer.

Just west of Nakuru, the wheat is emerging nicely. There are some bigger fields here, 50 acres and more. One farmer is spraying already (and the coming rain will wash it off in a few minutes).

Just driving through, not knowing what has happened, one could be fooled into thinking things are prospering. Kenya is at its most beautiful right now – lush green, with profuse growth aided by rain and warmth.

In conversations with the local people, we realize the beauty is deceiving. Let’s hope the new government is able to take its responsibilities seriously and is allowed to make the changes necessary to make life better for all Kenyans, not just the few at the top.