Small-holder farmers in Kenya dig for survival - in pictures

Ngunzi teaches farmers about zai pits and other methods to conserve water. Zai pits are filled with leaves, stems and other crop residue, which act as fertiliser, and when combined with trapped rainwater helps crops, planted on top, to grow. He also teaches how to grow drought-resistant crops, such as pigeon peas, green grams, sorghum and millet Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Ngunzi holds parched crop leaves to show how dry it has been. The last rains fell in April, and the next are due in October Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Drip irrigation saves water by delivering it directly to the base of the plant through a system of tubes Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Pigeon peas, a drought-resistant crop, growing over a zai pit Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Ngunzi's farm, where he lives with his wife, children, father and mother. He keeps a few animals, including a goat for breeding Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Shoe drying on Ngunzi's farm. Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Ngunzi among crops that he has managed to grow despite the lack of rain Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Zai pits waiting to be filled with crop residue. Farmers are digging as many as they can in anticipation of the next rains in October. The April rains didn't provide enough water for the crops Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Filled zai pits awaiting crop planting Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Wayua Mwanza, a farmer with two acres of land, stands by a fresh zai pit Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Mwanza has dug 110 zai pits with the help of her sons and other farmers. She wants another 400 pits. Her husband works in town, an hour away, writing and painting signs. Most farmers are women Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Women farmers at farmer field school practise digging and sculpting negarims. These semi-circular ridges of earth, along with terraces and zai pits, are methods of conserving water in dryland farming Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Women farmers at farmer field school take a break Photograph: Mark Tran/Guardian

Mwanza wants more hoes but can't afford any more. They cost £45 each. She wants to be a rich farmer in five years' time Photograph: Guardian