The Problem

The population of the Dagoretti district of Nairobi has risen dramatically in recent years, growing to more than twenty times the size from 1969-2009. Overcrowding has strained resources, and many are vulnerable to malnutrition and other poverty-related illnesses due to food insecurity, a lack of access to health facilities and a scarcity of jobs. Young people are particularly affected, as 37% of the population are under 17 years old and many live on the street.

What we're doing to help

Urban Gardening is a multi-sector, comprehensive, integrated intervention in the Dagoretti district. Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and Kenya Vision 2030, the project aims to ensure that those in the Dagoretti district have guaranteed access to food, their fundamental human right.

Working with farmer groups and schools, we are helping young people and families to grow their own food and eat a reliable and nutritious diet. By developing high quality produce and improving access to markets we are also helping vulnerable groups such as unemployed youth to increase their income and improve food security in the long term. Farm Africa is supporting community members to include environmental conservation techniques and good agricultural practice in their urban agricultural systems while sharing nutritional knowledge to improve community understanding of the links between nutrition and health.

Who are we working for?

This project will help to set up 15 urban gardens for community groups and schools - school gardens will be managed by parents, teachers and class councils. The gardens will include 6 rainwater harvesting systems, 6 greenhouses and 3 surficial wells and drip irrigation systems.

Groups will also receive livestock, training in organic farming practices, and access to new markets and micro-enterprises to boost incomes and food security. We’re also working with local government authorities on land planning for urban agriculture and the design, implementation and evaluation of interventions on food security.

Who are we working with?

Farm Africa is working in a consortium with Amref Health Africa and Kenyan government partners to reduce malnutrition, increase incomes, and promote sustainable farming and soil conservation. Amref Health Africa are funding the project and expanding it to support a further 3,900 people.