Conserving Our Environment — Water

Subject: Agriculture (Kenya) — For age 9

Water is very important for farms. Plants, animals and people need clean water to grow and stay healthy. In Kenya we get water from rain, rivers, wells and taps. If we save water, we help our farms and our future.

Why we save water

• Plants (maize, vegetables, tea) need water to grow.
• Animals need water to drink and stay healthy.
• Saving water helps during dry seasons and droughts.
• Clean rivers and streams are good for people, fish and birds.

Ways farmers and families can save water

• Water in the morning or evening — less water is lost to the hot sun.
• Use mulching — cover soil with dry grass or leaves to keep moisture in.
• Drip irrigation — water goes straight to plant roots, not the whole ground.
• Plant trees and windbreaks — they keep soil cool and stop water from evaporating quickly.
• Fix leaks and close taps — a dripping tap wastes water.
• Reuse greywater safely — leftover water from washing plates can water some plants (not for vegetables you eat raw).
• Make zai pits or ridges — small holes or lines in the soil help capture rain on farms.

Rainwater harvesting (easy steps)

You can collect rain from your roof and store it for the garden.

Tip: Use a clean drum or jerrycan with a lid. Place it where children and animals cannot fall in.

Good habits at home and school

• Turn off taps when you are not using them.
• Use a watering can for plants, not a hose.
• Keep water for animals in clean troughs — do not let them drink from polluted streams.
• Do not throw rubbish into rivers or around water sources.

A fun activity to try

Rain catch game: Place a clean bucket outside before it rains. After the rain, measure how many buckets you collected. Use this water to water a small patch of vegetables or your school garden.

Mini quiz (write the answers)

1. Why is it good to water plants in the morning?
2. Name two ways farmers can save water.
3. What should we not throw into rivers?

(Made for Kenyan children — easy tips for farms, homes and school gardens.)