SANGO-Kenya’s Programs Improve Food and Nutrition Security for Women Smallholder Farmers and their Families in Rural Kenya

SANGO-Kenya runs evidence-based agricultural and nutrition programs for women smallholder farmers in Seme sub-county, Kisumu County, western Kenya, and recently, in Amboseli. Our programs combine sustainable farming techniques, nutrition education, financial literacy training, and community leadership development — all designed to improve food security, increase household income, and build lasting resilience in one of Kenya’s most food-insecure regions.

farmers in program applying their training

SUSTAINABLE FARMING, INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL VEGETABLES

SANGO-Kenya’s programs, developed in coordination with leaders and members of the local communities, help improve food and nutrition security among mothers, children, other household members, and the community.

Program components focus on:

Agriculture Training

  • SANGO-Kenya’s agriculture experts train women smallholder farmers in Kisumu County to use sustainable agricultural practices that maximize crop yields, improve harvesting methods, and preserve seeds for future seasons.
  • We train the farmers in the nutrition and climate-resilient benefits of growing and consuming African traditional vegetables, as well as preservation techniques, so they can continue consuming them post-harvest.
Inspection by an agricultural counselor

Nutrition Training

  • Our nutrition experts train women farmers in rural Kenya on the nutritional benefits of African traditional vegetables, with a particular focus on pregnant mothers, infants, and young children.
  • We emphasize the need to consume a variety of foods for maximum nutritional benefit.
  • We train them how to prepare recipes that enhance taste and preserve nutrition.
Cooking training

Agricultural Support

  • SANGO-Kenya provides women farmers in Seme sub-county with quality seeds and reusable farm materials including netting for protecting seedlings.
  • We provide farmers on-going field support from agriculture experts during land preparation, planting, growing, and harvesting to ensure maximum crop yield and maintenance of soil health.
Seed distribution at the end of a training session

Developing Leaders for Sustainability

  • Part of SANGO-Kenya’s ongoing training focuses on preparing women farmers in western Kenya to become community leaders and sustainability ambassadors.
  • SANGO-Kenya utilizes the Training of Trainers model, identifying Lead Farmers who receive additional training to supplement the agriculture consultants’ support for farmers.  
Group photo at the end of a practical agriculture training
Our Impact. Beyond the farmers to families and communities

USING EVIDENCE-BASED ANALYSIS TO MEASURE OUTCOMES

SANGO-Kenya collects data in order to accurately measure and evaluate our programs. Data collection includes:

  • Pre- and post-project questionnaires
    • SANGO-Kenya conducts detailed surveys with all of the farmers prior to the beginning of the pilot and when the pilot has concluded.
  • Food consumption diaries
    • Farmers record their dietary intake prior to the beginning of the project, when harvest began, at the end of the harvest, and two weeks post-harvest.
  • Post-training satisfaction surveys
    • Farmers fill out questionnaires at the end of every training session.
  • Our evaluation assessments demonstrate that participation in SANGO-Kenya is associated with increased consumption of these green vegetables.

HOW WE STARTED: SANGO-KENYA PILOT

Graduation ceremony at the end of the pilot program
Graduates of the SANGO-Kenya pilot program each received a certificate and a lesson, the colorful cloths they are all wearing. As it was in the midst of COVID-19 restrictions, all participants wore masks.

SANGO-Kenya conducted a pilot program from January to August 2020. In collaboration with our advisors and consultants from the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, as well as other community members and leaders, we identified 21 members of a women’s group (comprising 19 women and two men) to participate in the program. Training sessions were primarily focused on the first month, with some additional training provided during the planting and harvest seasons.

We held a graduation ceremony upon completion at which all participants received a certificate. (See the SANGO Diaries, chapter 7 for more details).

Some initial findings from data analysis include:

  • Farmers in Kenya felt their crop yields were higher than those of their neighbors.
  • They earned more money in the past year by reducing their expenses on home-grown vegetables and selling the excess at the market.