Teacher's initiative transforms local agriculture and nutrition

Two years ago, Dominic Orina, a teacher, arrived at Kugerwet Primary School and initiated a project to promote vegetable farming and improve nutrition. He explains that he also sought to challenge gendered farming norms.

“I started the project after learning that fruit and vegetable consumption was very low in the area because people were not growing them. The few who did grow some vegetables did so for domestic use, not for sale,” Orina explains.

He added that locals lacked both the knowledge and skills needed to grow vegetables, as well as an understanding of the health benefits they provide. Orina later discovered that although local women had always wanted to grow these crops, it had not been possible because tea is grown on nearly 90 per cent of the land. He says, “This makes it difficult for them to find space for other crops. With most of the land in this area owned by men, they hold the final say on what crops are grown and which are not.”

At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, global leaders and organisations highlighted the urgent need for resilient food systems to combat climate change and ensure food security. Orina shares that while the discussions at COP29 seemed ground-breaking, he had already begun implementing these concepts at his school in Bomet County. The vegetable initiative is transforming local attitudes toward agriculture. In a region dominated by tea farming, a thriving vegetable garden now stands as a testament to resilience and sustainability.

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This scenario reflects findings from a recent Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) report, which highlights that men predominantly engage in cash crop farming. The report, Where Women in Agri-food Systems are at Highest Climate Risk, reveals that men tend to focus on cash crops like tea and coffee, which are seen as economically valuable and often grown for income. On the other hand, women prioritise food crops such as beans and vegetables, which are crucial for household subsistence. These gendered preferences often reflect the roles assigned to men and women within agricultural households. In many regions, including Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania,  men control land and decision-making about which crops to grow, further reinforcing these gendered choices. While men focus on high-value cash crops, women tend to grow a wider variety of crops that contribute to household nutrition, even though these are often less economically prioritised. Orina confides, “Because of these gendered preferences, most boys don’t want to join us in growing vegetables, viewing it as women’s work. But I am trying to persuade them, and there has been positive progress, with more boys and even men joining us.”

The project focuses on organic gardening practices to ensure sustainability and minimise environmental impact. The school also keeps rabbits, whose urine is used as an organic pesticide and foliar fertiliser for the vegetables. To promote water conservation, the vegetables are mulched, helping retain soil moisture and reduce the need for frequent irrigation.

Orina also teaches students about soil and water conservation. They have a solar dryer where Orina teaches them how to preserve vegetables for future use or during dry seasons. The practice has spread beyond the school, with students applying mulching techniques in their own home gardens.

Unlike before, when malnutrition rates were high, Orina explains that things are changing. Children are now growing vegetables at school and cultivating fruits both at school and at home. “They even bring vegetables from their homes to show the progress of their home garden projects. The project is proving to be a valuable tool in addressing the area’s long-standing nutritional challenges.”

A vailable data also shows that giving more attention to fruits and vegetables could generate income and create jobs across the value chain, benefiting 1.5 million poor households.

Orina explains that his vegetable initiative aligns with the key themes of COP29, such as promoting diversified food systems and addressing gender roles in agriculture. He says, “By challenging traditional norms and encouraging vegetable farming, this project contributes to sustainable practices that enhance community nutrition, reduce carbon footprints, and build resilience against climate change. It demonstrates how small-scale initiatives can contribute to global sustainability goals.”