Food insecurity and malnutrition are significant challenges for the growing population in Kenya, particularly in rural areas dominated by smallholder farmers. According to the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG) 2022 report, approximately 1.6 million people in Kenya face food insecurity, with two out of five households experiencing food shortages. This situation is worsened by the impacts of climate change, land degradation, limited access to agricultural resources, and inadequate use of productive farming practices. Addressing these issues requires sustainable solutions that enhance food security, improve market access for farmers, and ultimately boost their livelihoods.
On May 17, 2024, Biovision Africa Trust team lead by Ms. Venancia Wambua, Head of Programmes for Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I) and the Knowledge Centre for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (KCOA) was hosted by the County CECM for Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele.
Ms. Venancia Wambua introduced Biovision Africa Trust’s whose mission is to combat poverty and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through knowledge dissemination and capacity building. The organization aims to roll out a new project called the LDF project funded by Louis Dreyfus enterprise Foundation (LDF), to promote selected agroecology practices to enhance food and nutrition, strengthen access to markets and improve resilience of livelihoods by smallholder farmers specifically women and youth in Kitui and Nakuru counties of Kenya.
Project Objectives
- Enhance adoption of agroecological farming practices (agroforestry, water harvesting techniques, soil health management, crop rotation, crop diversification, soil protection, conservation agriculture, etc.) among smallholder women farmers and youth.
- Develop a revolving fund scheme of livestock production (small ruminants -improved dairy goats and rabbits) and bee keeping as alternative livelihood sources.
- Enhance capability to access and control resources through establishment of local level institutions (VSLAs) for farmers and youth to access financial and market functions/services for supporting agroecological farming transitions.
- Enhance access to markets by small holder farmers by supporting existing agroecology-enterprises (SMEs) to off-take farmers produce and ensure farmers are making profits from agroecological farming.
- Enhance delivery of project goals and objectives through structured management and monitoring and evaluation.
The project aims to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition by promoting agroecological farming practices, enhancing market access, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Kitui County. The project will focus on engaging women and youth, who are critical to the agricultural sector but often face significant barriers. Smallholder women farmers and youth in Kitui largely rely on synthetic inputs, monoculture cropping, and unsustainable land management practices. These methods degrade soil health, harm the environment, and make farming systems vulnerable to climate change and market fluctuations.
The project will be implemented over three years (2024-2026) and aims to reach at least 1,000 farmers in Kitui Central and Rural areas with these interventions.
BvAT will collaborate with the county in:
- Training county extension officers on agroecological farming practices to support farmers,
- Support crop value chains that align with county drought-resistant crop value chains like sunflower, sorghum, millet, and green grams,
- And support farmers with livestock value chains, including dairy goats, rabbits, and beekeeping, to enhance food security and nutrition.
- Jointly establish a Project Steering and Advisory committee to steer the project in the county.
- Engage the services of County Veterinary officers to train and support the livestock value chains.
The partnership with Governor Dr. Julius Malombe’s administration aims to address food nutrition and security, enhance market access for farmers, and ultimately improve their livelihoods in Kitui County. The initiative promises a comprehensive strategy to overcome existing challenges and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Also present at the meeting were Chief Officer for Agriculture and Fisheries, Madam Gladys Kivoto, Abraham Kova ( Deputy Director of Agriculture), among other officials.
Prepared by Mercy Zakayo, edited by Venancia Wambua.
