Nairobi: At Olympic Secondary School in Nairobi's Kibera settlement, 17-year-old Mercy Mmboga closely examines the growth of young spinach leaves arranged in rows of recycled plastic pipes in the school's backyard. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to integrate hydroponic farming into school meal programs across Africa.
According to EMM, the hydroponic method, which Mercy learned in agriculture class, allows students to grow vegetables without soil, using minimal space and water. This innovative approach not only supplements the school meals for 1,200 students but also promotes environmental sustainability. Twice a week, students harvest these plants, providing a nutritional boost to their lunches.
Leadership in Africa has been instrumental in advancing school meal programs. WFP School Meals Director Carmen Burbano highlights the political will driving this success in countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Benin. Many nations, such as Burkina Faso, Lesotho, and Rwanda, now fund these programs primarily through national budgets. Meanwhile, Ethiopia and Burundi have significantly increased their investments, though they still receive some external funding.
The success of government ownership of these programs is emphasized by Edna Kalaluka, Head of School Feeding at WFP’s Eastern and Southern Africa regional office. This ownership promotes sustainability and ensures that goals are met.
In Kenya, the government aims not only to expand school meals but also to incorporate planet-friendly practices like hydroponics and strengthen local food systems. With WFP's assistance, schools grow or source food from local farmers. This strategy has shown economic returns of up to $35 for every $1 invested. In 2024, Eastern Africa sourced over 32,000 metric tons of food from more than 18,000 farmers, injecting nearly $16 million into local economies.
Elsewhere in Africa, locally sourced school meals are gaining traction, benefiting countries reliant on smallholder farmers. In Rwanda, all 4.5 million young pupils receive school meals, supported by local growers like Clementine Mukandayisenga. In Burundi, farmers' incomes rose by 50% in 2024, and in Benin, the government has taken over the school meals program, sourcing ingredients from area growers.
Despite progress, challenges persist due to conflicts, funding cuts, and access issues. In Sudan, ongoing civil war has displaced millions, disrupting food supply chains. However, more than half-a-million students benefited from locally procured school meals last year, with WFP purchasing $6 million in cereals from local farmers.
In Al Hafayer, eastern Sudan, schools have closed, but learning continues with WFP's take-home rations. Volunteers like Hassan and Hanaa are determined to provide education to the next generation, recognizing the importance of sufficient meals for students' health and learning.
Lisa Murray, Bismarck Sossa, Giulio d'Adamo, and Abubakar Garelnabei contributed to this story. WFP's school feeding programs in Africa are supported by donors including the African Development Bank, Burundi, Education Cannot Wait, France, Japan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Share the Meal, and the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office.