Two years ago, Dominic Orina, a teacher, initiated a project at Kugerwet Primary School in Bomet County aimed at promoting vegetable farming and improving nutrition. The project was sparked by his realization that vegetable and fruit consumption was very low in the region due to a lack of local production. Most of the people in the area did not grow vegetables for commercial purposes, but only for personal use, if at all. In addition to this, the local community lacked the knowledge and skills necessary to grow these nutritious crops and didn’t fully understand the health benefits they could bring.
Orina soon discovered that although local women had a keen interest in growing vegetables, their efforts were stifled by the dominant tea farming in the area. Nearly 90 percent of the land in this region is used for growing tea, which makes it difficult to allocate space for other crops. Moreover, the land is mostly owned by men, who ultimately control the decision on which crops are cultivated. This imbalance has traditionally left women with fewer opportunities to grow food crops, which are crucial for household nutrition, while men focused on cash crops like tea that were more economically valuable. As a result, the area’s agricultural practices were dominated by gendered norms that restricted women’s ability to diversify food production.
Orina’s project not only addresses these nutritional and agricultural challenges but also aims to challenge the gendered perceptions around farming. He started the vegetable farming project to teach both boys and girls at the school how to grow a variety of crops, focusing on organic farming practices that promote sustainability and environmental conservation. The initiative has also made strides in encouraging boys, who traditionally view vegetable farming as a “woman’s task,” to participate. Orina’s efforts have slowly led to a shift in the mindset of the community, with more boys and even men now participating in vegetable farming.
To ensure the sustainability of the project, Orina has incorporated various innovative practices, such as using rabbits to produce organic pesticides and fertilizers from their urine. Additionally, the school garden uses mulching techniques that help retain moisture in the soil and reduce the need for frequent irrigation. Orina also teaches the students about soil and water conservation, ensuring that the community adopts environmentally friendly farming practices. A solar dryer is used at the school to teach students how to preserve vegetables for future use, especially during dry periods when farming can become more challenging.
The effects of the project have already begun to show, especially in terms of improving nutrition in the area. Before the introduction of the project, malnutrition rates were high, but now children are growing vegetables both at school and at home. They proudly bring vegetables from their home gardens to school, showcasing the positive results of the project in their communities. This shift in attitudes toward food security is slowly transforming the region, with more people embracing sustainable agricultural practices and reaping the benefits of diverse food production.
The project has expanded beyond the school, with students applying the skills they learn in their own homes, spreading the impact of the initiative. The efforts not only address the region’s longstanding nutritional challenges but also align with global goals discussed at major conferences like the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP29 highlighted the importance of resilient food systems to combat climate change and ensure food security, themes that Orina’s project is already addressing at the local level. By promoting diversified farming systems, the initiative contributes to sustainable agriculture and gender equity, showing how small-scale local projects can support larger global goals of sustainability, climate resilience, and improved nutrition.
The project also demonstrates how prioritizing fruits and vegetables can create new economic opportunities, generating income and employment across the agricultural value chain. It’s a powerful example of how education and grassroots initiatives can have far-reaching benefits for both community health and the environment.
