Health · Mental Health · 2 days ago
Unpredictable weather adds to Kenyan farmers’ mental health strain
Farmers in Nyeri and Kiawara, Kenya, are facing unreliable rain and longer dry spells that have hurt their crops and livestock.
Coffee farmer Josephine Kihu says she has had to change to a more resilient bean variety and pay workers to water her trees.
Livestock farmer Charles Ndung’u says he lost 40 goats in three months after a dry spell and a disease outbreak.
The losses threaten families’ income, including money Ndung’u uses to pay his children’s school fees.
Clinical psychologist Kahindo Gacago says repeated losses and uncertainty about the weather are contributing to mental health concerns among farmers.
He says the strain can affect farmers’ sense of identity and lead some to use alcohol or other substances to cope.
Gacago is urging policymakers to include mental wellbeing in farmer support, promote climate-smart farming and improve access to irrigation.
Unpredictable weather and repeated agricultural losses are contributing to emotional stress and mental health concerns among Kenyan farmers, doctors say.
Coffee farmer Josephine Kihu says prolonged sunshine has forced her to switch to a more resilient bean variety and pay someone to water her trees.
Goat farmer Charles Ndung’u says he lost 40 goats in three months after dry conditions and a livestock disease outbreak.
Clinical psychologist Kahindo Gacago says about a third of his patients are farmers facing mental health issues linked to repeated agricultural losses.
Gacago is urging policymakers to include mental wellbeing in farmer support programmes and improve access to irrigation.
- Who
- Kenyan farmers, including coffee farmer Josephine Kihu and goat farmer Charles Ndung’u, are experiencing stress. Clinical psychologist Kahindo Gacago says he treats farmers with related mental health concerns.
- What
- Unpredictable weather and agricultural losses are adding to farmers’ emotional strain and mental health concerns.
- When
- The article describes conditions this year, including rainfall in March, a livestock disease outbreak in June and worsening losses from July.
- Where
- Nyeri and Kiawara, Kenya.
- Why
- Unreliable rainfall, prolonged dry spells, crop uncertainty and livestock losses are creating financial pressure and chronic stress.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Earlier rainfall did not provide enough pasture to sustain Ndung’u’s goats through the prolonged dry spell.
A livestock disease outbreak compounded the shortage.
The situation worsened, and some goats became too weak to stand.
Ndung’u says he lost 40 goats.
- Coffee farm
- Josephine Kihu has farmed coffee for three decades.
- Goat losses
- Ndung’u says he lost 40 goats in three months.
- Disease outbreak
- A livestock disease outbreak occurred in June.
- Patients
- Gacago believes about a third of his patients are farmers with mental health issues linked to repeated agricultural losses.
- Proposed support
- Gacago urged policymakers to promote climate-smart agriculture and improve access to irrigation.
What people are saying
As a farmer, you could go insane
We depend on the goats for our children's school fees.
Especially when you feel like you've lost control, because something like the weather it's not something in your control.
Sources
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