Enable 1500 Kenyan Rural Farmers for Agribusiness

Pamela Aoko Amos, a 65-year-old widow, faces the daily challenge of providing for her five children, two of whom are still in school. With limited resources, the family often struggled to afford three decent meals a day, relying heavily on the uncertain support of well-wishers to secure even one meal. Pamela’s only source of income came from occasional labor, which was physically demanding and inconsistent, especially for someone her age.

When Pamela learned about The Mango Tree – Our Land, Our Lives project, she saw an opportunity to change her circumstances. Recognizing the difficulties faced by many families in her village, including her own, in accessing fresh vegetables due to high prices and scarce supply, Pamela eagerly joined the organic vegetable kitchen gardening group. She attended every practical session with a keen interest, determined to break free from the cycle of food insecurity. Her engagement with facilitators and willingness to learn new skills underscored her commitment to improving her family’s situation.

After completing the training and receiving support to build a garden tower, Pamela became one of the first participants to set up her vegetable garden, even during a harsh dry spell. As of the reporting period, Pamela’s garden is thriving, providing her family with a steady supply of fresh vegetables. She no longer struggles to put healthy food on the table. She can sell surplus produce, generate enough income to cover school fees, purchase uniforms, and meet other household needs.

"I never knew I could produce such nice vegetables on my rocky land with very little water and in such a small space," Pamela reflects. "I lack the words to express my gratitude to the project. It has been years of struggle for food, but I am a light to my fellow widows today. They come to me for advice, and I am happy to share my knowledge and skills in kitchen gardening. Even my in-laws now respect me because, in my village, I am the only one producing fresh vegetables during the dry season."

Case Study: Matthews' Journey in Goat Rearing

Introduction

Matthews, a dedicated farmer, embarked on a transformative journey into goat rearing when he was gifted a local goat (doe) and an exotic buck for cross-breeding. Over the past two years, Matthews' venture into goat farming has yielded remarkable success, prompting him to consider expanding into other livestock-rearing areas, including cows.

Background

Matthews' primary motivation for venturing into goat rearing was multifaceted. He sought an activity that would keep him engaged and generate additional income and reduce his household expenses on food, school fees, and shelter. Recognizing the ease of rearing goats, he settled on this venture.

The prolific nature of goat breeding, with does often giving birth to twins and triplets, enabled Matthews' stock to double within a year. His foresight and dedication suggest that he will have a thriving herd of over 20 productive goats within the next two years.

To enhance his goat-rearing skills, Matthews received specialized training in goat management. Understanding the importance of community sustainability, he has actively participated in the "passing-on-the-gift"  initiative, which involves gifting another member of the community with the first kid of his goat, knowledge and resources with other households in the project area.

“Apart from my usual hustling, I wanted something that could keep me busy earn me some income and further reduce my budget on foodstuffs/school fees and shelter. This is why I settled on the goats when I realized they are easy to rear. Given that the goats give birth to twins and triplets, in one year my stock has doubled and in the subsequent two years to come, I will have over 20 productive goats. Currently, the goats produce good milk, other than family consumption, I sell one litre of goat milk at Sh. 100 and above earning about Sh. 3,000 per month out of the 3 goats am milking.” Matthews a goat farmer narrates.

Conclusion

Matthews' story exemplifies the potential of goat rearing as a viable and sustainable agricultural venture. His success and commitment to community empowerment highlight the broader impacts of livestock farming on individual livelihoods and community development. With his plans to diversify into cow rearing, Matthews is poised for even greater achievements in the agricultural sector.