Sustainable Agri-busines Livelihood Technologies Project (SALT), Bungoma West, Kenya

Challenge:

FAITH Kenya (Food Always in the Homes of Kenya) is a small, dynamic Community Based Organisation started by a group of Kenyan college graduates in 2000. This group is currently implementing a project that focuses on immediate problems in the area: unsustainabile farming practices and a lack of food security.

Action:

The project trains households in environmental management, tree planting, agro-forestry practices and organic agriculture. Families receive subsidised tree and vegetable seeds, some which they sell and others are planted to create a tree nursery and seed bank for crops. In addition, the project has created an organic waste recycling program using local inputs, established community run horticulture plots, and markets indigenous leafy vegetables.

Benefits:

The FAITH Kenya project offers many benefits to approximately 100 households per year and also makes improvements in the environment. Through various training activities, the project will promote income generation initiatives and improve food security for family members. With the seeds given to members, the goal is to generate income through their sale and also to provide nutritious, sustainable food crops. These incomes will fund future project costs and give funds to members through credit and revolving loans. The organic waste recycling program provides cheap compost for use and sale, while also enriching local soil and ultimately improving crop productiivity. Thus far, the fortified compost initiative has seen large success. The members of FAITH Kenya are currently eagerly awaiting the maturation of their first batch of tree seedlings. It is estimated that household income amongst members of the group rose 20% in the first six months of the project. In the same period, household food security increased by 30%. Based on initial successes, gorta are in the process of considering a continuation project.

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