Kenyan Farmers Experience Harvest Increase Following Regenerative Agriculture Push
Kenyan small-scale farmers are experiencing improved soil health and increased harvests thanks to a push for regenerative agriculture led by Farm Africa. The organization’s Strengthening Regenerative Agriculture in Kenya (STRAK) project has been promoting sustainable farming practices to boost rural livelihoods and improve climate resilience.
Since 2017, the STRAK initiative has supported over 60,000 farmers, equipping them with the knowledge of regenerative techniques and encouraging them to share this newfound knowledge within their communities.
Adoption of Sustainable Farming Practices in Kenya
In Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties in Kenya, over 70% of the farmers who participated in the project have adopted sustainable farming methods like intercropping, agro-forestry, crop rotation, and the use of farmyard manure. The outcome? These farmers have reported up to 81% higher yields and a 92% improvement in water retention. Furthermore, the instances of crop failure, soil erosion, and chemical dependence have significantly reduced.
Validation of the Regenerative Agriculture Approach
According to the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry who analysed samples from 2,000 project sites, this regenerative agriculture approach has resulted in massive improvements in soil health and microbial diversity.
Farm Africa’s country director, Mary Nyale, stated that these results prove that regenerative agriculture is not just environmentally beneficial, but also economically viable. “By providing small-scale farmers with the tools, knowledge, and market linkages to farm regeneratively, we are witnessing sustainable boosts in yields, soil fertility, and incomes. This provides clear evidence that regenerative agriculture can deliver measurable impact at scale for both people and the planet,” said Nyale.
Image Credit
Godfrey Kirimi showing tomatoes from his farm in Tharaka Nithi. Photographer: Bertha Lutome.
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