Agriculture in Samburu County is dominated by pastoralism, the keeping of livestock including cattle, camels, goats, and sheep as the primary livelihood system. Crop cultivation exists in higher altitude areas including the Leroghi Plateau around Maralal and the upper slopes of the Matthews Range and Ndoto Mountains, where rainfall is sufficient to support rain-fed farming. However, for the majority of Samburu County's population, livestock herding rather than crop cultivation is the foundation of subsistence and economic life. The Samburu people have developed sophisticated pastoral management systems over generations, including seasonal migration between dry-season and wet-season pastures, differentiated herd composition suited to arid environments, and social mechanisms for managing access to shared pasture and water resources. These systems are under increasing stress from climate variability, including more frequent and severe droughts, reduced predictability of rainfall, population growth, land subdivision, and competition with wildlife and conservation interests for land and water.
Pastoral Systems
Samburu pastoralists keep mixed herds of cattle, camels, goats, and sheep. Camels are particularly well-suited to the arid lowland areas and have become an increasingly important component of herd composition as droughts intensify. Cattle remain the primary measure of wealth and prestige in Samburu social organization, though their relative importance varies by ecological zone. Goats and sheep provide food security, particularly for poorer households, as they are more resilient to drought than cattle and can be sold quickly when cash is needed.
Seasonal migration between lowland dry-season pastures and higher altitude wet-season areas is central to the pastoral system. Social rules governing access to critical water points and pasture areas during dry seasons are maintained through age-grade and clan authority structures, though these governance systems are under pressure as population growth, fencing, and privatization of land reduce the common grazing areas available for communal use.
Crop Agriculture
Crop farming in the highland areas around Maralal and Wamba produces maize, beans, and vegetables for household consumption and local markets. Agricultural production is primarily at subsistence scale with limited marketable surplus. Food insecurity is acute during drought years when both crop and livestock production fails.
County Government Support
The county government provides some agricultural extension services, veterinary support for livestock disease control, and investment in water infrastructure such as boreholes and water pans that are critical for both pastoral and crop agricultural livelihoods.
See Also
Samburu County Samburu Politics Pastoralism Under Pressure Drought and Food Security Samburu Education Kenya Livestock Development
Sources
- FAO. (2019). Samburu County Livestock Situation Report. FAO EALERT System.
- Fratkin, Elliot. (1998). Ariaal Pastoralists of Kenya: Studying Pastoralism, Drought and Development in Africa's Arid Lands. Allyn and Bacon.
- Samburu County Government. (2023). County Integrated Development Plan 2023-2027.