Farmers in Murang’a County practising organic and agroecological farming are set to earn more following a new initiative aimed at directly linking them to consumers. This approach seeks to eliminate middlemen, ensuring that farmers receive better returns while promoting access to healthy agricultural products for more Kenyans.
As part of this initiative, stakeholders are establishing a digital platform where farmers can market their produce and consumers can place orders via mobile phones. The project is aligned with the county’s Food-farmacy Programme, which promotes the consumption of healthy foods to improve public health. The programme already supplies organically grown produce to various outlets, including local schools, ensuring students benefit from nutritious meals that lower the risk of lifestyle-related illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.
Murang’a has been a pioneer in agroecology, adopting practices such as organic farming, reduced tillage, crop diversification, and conservation agriculture. These practices aim to restore soil health and create sustainable, resilient food systems. The county was the first in Kenya to enact the Agroecological Act and Policy in 2022, demonstrating its commitment to transforming agriculture.
Efforts to promote agroecology include widespread farmer training on soil rejuvenation, organic manure production, and the use of bio-inputs that do not harm the environment. Farmers are learning to balance soil acidity and enhance microbial activity, resulting in higher yields and better-tasting produce. Research shows that many farms previously capable of producing large quantities of food have experienced drastic declines in productivity due to soil degradation. Agroecology offers a solution to reverse this trend, ensuring food security and stable incomes.
To further strengthen this movement, Murang’a University of Technology has introduced short courses on agroecology, with sessions lasting as little as two weeks. The university also conducts research and offers advanced degrees to build capacity in sustainable agriculture. These efforts are complemented by the establishment of demo farms and multi-stakeholder platforms to coordinate roles, avoid duplication, and scale up agroecology adoption.
Markets within the county have also allocated designated stalls for organic farmers to sell vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, and traditional crops such as cassava and arrowroots. Additionally, schools are being integrated into the supply chain to provide a consistent market for organic produce while promoting healthy diets among learners.
By connecting farmers directly to consumers and institutional markets, Murang’a aims to boost incomes, improve health outcomes, and safeguard the environment through sustainable farming practices. This holistic approach positions the county as a leader in agroecological transformation in Kenya.
