Elizabeth’s Journey to Integrated Farming and Community Advocacy

By: Peter Milo, Chief of Party, Timothy Muli, County Technical Coordinator, and Fridah Bwari, Communications Officer, USAID Advancing Nutrition

“The main challenge I envisioned initially was not lack of market, but a lack of water,” says Elizabeth Kyalo.

Elizabeth ventured into integrated organic farming (a cyclical, holistic farming system based on locally available natural resources) with the help of the government and USAID Advancing Nutrition. Despite having dug seven wells on her farm, they frequently ran dry.

Kitui County is one of Kenya’s arid and semiarid areas, which makes it difficult to grow crops, leaving people vulnerable to malnutrition. Of the country’s 47 counties, Kitui is one of four counties with?high levels of stunting among children under five years, at 25 percent, according to the?Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. The recent delayed rains and failed harvest in 2022 only worsened the situation.

Through nutrition-sensitive training, Elizabeth became a nutrition champion and recognized the opportunity to capitalize on the demand for vegetables while seeking an alternative source of water.

“I was taught how to treat water from my kitchen for reuse on the farm. All I need is ash from my kitchen,” she explained.

Elizabeth has since established a flourishing kitchen garden, harvesting vegetables for consumption and selling the surplus to her neighbors. She also trained 25 community members who established kitchen gardens.

In 2021–2022, USAID Advancing Nutrition and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Fisheries (MAWF) worked together to train the people of Kitui on dietary diversification to mitigate malnutrition. The project, in collaboration with MAWF, identified 24 people in the community who were committed to improving nutrition. By training them as nutrition champions, they gained new knowledge to share with neighbors and community members for better nutrition. Elizabeth now educates her neighbors and nearby schools about the benefits of dietary diversification. She also benefits from a direct link with the MAWF office and partners, who provide material support and networking opportunities with other champions in the county.?

Alongside her farming, Elizabeth raises chickens to provide a source of eggs and meat. Feeding the birds is relatively inexpensive, since she uses leftover food and other scraps from the farm. The fertility of the soil is crucial in farming, as it impacts the quantity and quality of the harvest. However, fertilizers can be expensive.

“As a nutrition champion, I was taught how to collect chicken droppings and prepare organic manure for my crops. I got a solution right here on my farm,” Elizabeth said.?

The training encouraged Elizabeth to practice integrated farming and try new crops, including vegetables like spinach, kale, amaranth, pumpkins, and cowpeas. Some of these are consumed fresh, while others are dried and ground for a longer shelf life. Elizabeth also grows fruits such as mangoes, oranges, and tree tomatoes.

“These [fruits and vegetables] are rich sources of vitamins and iron that are vital for the young and elderly. I also ventured into growing of herbs that I encourage the community to incorporate in cooking as they improve the flavor,” she added.

Through support from USAID Advancing Nutrition, Elizabeth has participated in county forums, advocating for nutrition and creating awareness in her community. Her engagement with the project has been both enlightening and rewarding, giving her and her community a sustainable path to better nutrition.???

Nutrition champions, such as Elizabeth, are influential individuals who hold a unique position to utilize their platforms and positions in shaping nutrition as a priority. These champions include County First Ladies serving as mentors, members of the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Coordination secretariat providing technical support, and community nutrition champions who generate demand for nutrition services delivered by qualified nutritionists. USAID Advancing Nutrition has successfully trained 186 nutrition champions to advocate for improved nutrition across Kenya’s Kisumu, Kitui, and Kakamega counties. These trainings strengthen skills related to the development of action plans, communication, evidence-based advocacy, and media engagement, and enhance the understanding of the role of a nutrition champion.