Kakamega: An international non-governmental organization, Ripple Effect, has launched an agro-ecology and sustainable farming project aimed at improving the lives of smallholder farmers in Lurambi, Kakamega County. The initiative seeks to enhance the agricultural productivity of 480 households by utilizing organic fertilizers and advanced farming technologies.
According to Kenya News Agency, the two-year project will support 2,880 individuals, focusing on techniques such as conical and keyhole gardens, as well as sack mount gardens for vegetable farming. Ripple Effect has partnered with Vivamos, a Swiss organization, to fund this endeavor. Vivamos, with four decades of experience in Latin America, is now extending its efforts to Africa through this project in Kenya.
During the project’s launch and demonstration at Shimanyiro, Alfred Juma, Programmes and Partnership Support Manager at Ripple Effect, highlighted the training of 13 farmers who will disseminate agro-ecological and sustainable farming practices within the community. Juma emphasized the project’s focus on using natural resources to ensure soil fertility, which in turn will provide nutritious and safe food for both humans and animals.
Demonstration farms have been established to educate farmers on the application of these technologies, encouraging them to diversify their farming practices for optimal returns. Ripple Effect aims to lift 700,000 Kenyans and 5 million people globally out of poverty by 2030, with the help of like-minded partners.
Stellamaris Mulai, Western Regional Coordinator of Vivamos, stated that the project intends to promote sustainable farming through agro-ecology to enhance production. Vivamos collaborates with Ripple Effect in Lurambi, the Justice and Peace Commission in Mumias East and Mumias West, and the Anglican Development Services (ADS) in Shinyalu.
Moffat Mandela, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, expressed the county government’s support for the project, which is expected to tackle soil acidity challenges that have affected farm yields in the region.