Economic Growth Kenya Project #32068

Enable 1500 Kenyan Rural Farmers for Agribusiness

by The Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust - Kenya

Enable 1500 Kenyan Rural Farmers for Agribusiness

Project Report | Jun 23, 2025
Climate Resilience in Action: Progress from the Field

By Paul Odalo | Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

A graduated kitchen garden participants

Introduction

In this reporting period, we worked hand-in-hand with local smallholder farmers living around public forests and lakeshores in Homa Bay and Kilifi counties. Our joint effort focused on co-developing climate-resilient farmer field schools and business models tailored to their environments.

In this initiative 423 households (indirectly impacting over 2,961 people) are now actively participating in community-based agribusiness and environmental restoration initiatives. Through this project, they are:

- Learning to interpret climate change patterns

- Managing natural resources more sustainably

- Launching small-scale agribusinesses in beekeeping, agroforestry, goat keeping, kitchen gardening, and fruit farming

Additionally, farmer-selected local environmental champions are now leading grassroots campaigns on climate change awareness and mitigation. The wider community impact now reaches an estimated 70,000 people.

Project Objectives

Increase household income and food security for 1,500 smallholder farmer households
Improve understanding and management of natural resources
Strengthen knowledge of climate change and mitigation
Build resilience against climate shocks through practical, adaptive farming methods

Key Achievements

423 smallholder farmers were engaged in the project, indirectly reaching over 2,961 community members.
9 farmer groups were successfully formed, each actively participating in field school activities.
1,830 fruit tree seedlings were distributed — nearly double the original target of 1,000.
26,000 forest trees were planted, slightly below the 30,000 target due to drought and floods.
113 goats were provided to selected households — lower than the 200 target, driven by high demand.
130 beehives were distributed, exceeding the target of 120.
1,750 kilograms of honey were harvested, processed, and marketed — surpassing the initial target of 1,500 kg.

Field Activities & Outcomes

We formed 9 farmer groups, each with 30 members. These groups now form the core of our ongoing training and agribusiness activities. Participation exceeded expectations, with more community members showing interest than we could support.
Ecological site assessments were conducted across 9 locations, leading to the identification of 10 acres of land for agroforestry and beekeeping. However, resource limitations restricted our reach to similar potential sites.
423 households received practical, hands-on training in various agribusiness practices. Out of these, 223 households adopted the skills, and 120 farmers graduated after completing the full learning cycle. Attendance was occasionally affected by competing local events such as funerals and market days.
Climate forecasting awareness sessions are ongoing and helping communities better understand weather patterns.
100 community members were trained as Eco-Guardians to care for trees and promote climate awareness. However, youth participation remains low due to prevailing negative attitudes toward farming.
All groups developed clear action plans for their specific projects. However, low literacy levels, especially among elderly members, have slowed the planning pace.
We distributed 4,590 garden towers, 26,000 forest tree seedlings, 1,830 fruit trees, 130 beehives, and 113 goats. Unfortunately, erratic weather patterns affected the survival of some planted trees.
423 farmers were aligned with the existing TMT Farmers’ Cooperative, improving access to markets and agricultural support. We’re managing community expectations, which remain high.

Conclusion

The project continues to make strong progress in building climate resilience and improving livelihoods among smallholder farmers in Homa Bay and Kilifi counties. Through practical training, input distribution, and community-driven initiatives, participating households are experiencing improved food security, increased income, and greater awareness of sustainable natural resource management. Despite challenges such as limited resources, extreme weather, and varying literacy levels, the commitment from farmers, local leaders, and partners has remained high. With continued support, the project is well-positioned to expand its reach and deepen its impact across the wider community.

A learner participate in tree planting exercise

Learners receiving tree seedlings for planting

Farmers field day for participating farmers

A Kitchen garden participant tending to her farm

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Feb 23, 2025
THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF MANGO TREE FRUITS ON COMMUNITY LIVELIHOODS

By Paul Odalo | Monitoring, Evaluation & Partnership Officer

Farmers field day on best practices in fruit tree

Here's a refined and clearer version of your report:

Introduction

This report explores the impact of mango farming initiatives aimed at empowering families by enhancing food security, increasing household income, and promoting environmental sustainability. The introduction of grafted mango varieties has been transformative for rural communities, offering a reliable income source while meeting nutritional needs. Launched in Homa Bay County, this initiative provides families with essential resources, training, and support to establish and manage mango orchards effectively.

Program Goals

The project aims to achieve three key objectives:

Economic Empowerment: Improve household income through the production of a high-value cash crop.
Food Security: Enhance access to nutritious fruit to support family health.
Environmental Sustainability: Promote sustainable agriculture by integrating mango trees into local ecosystems, contributing to soil conservation and biodiversity.

Key Activities and Implementation

Distribution of Mango Seedlings: Community members received high-quality grafted mango seedlings that mature early and yield more fruit.
Farmer Field School Training Programs: Farmers participated in hands-on training sessions on orchard management and crop protection.
Post-Harvest Support: Training was provided on value addition and marketing strategies to enhance profitability.

Outcomes and Impact

1. Economic Empowerment

Increased Income: More than 700 households have experienced improved earnings through the sale of quality mangoes, reducing financial burdens related to school fees, healthcare, and other essential needs.

2. Food Security and Nutrition

Improved Diets: Families now have better access to fresh, nutritious mangoes, which are rich in vitamins A and C, essential for immunity and child health.
Reduced Malnutrition: The availability of quality mangoes has significantly reduced malnutrition rates among children in the project area.

3. Environmental Impact

Enhanced Biodiversity: Mango trees support beekeeping during flowering, improving fruit production and honey yields. They also provide habitat for various insects, such as beetles and fruit flies, which require careful management to prevent crop damage.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Pest Management: Increased pest and disease resistance to conventional control methods has necessitated the adoption of integrated pest management systems, which have proven effective.
Climate Challenges: Erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change have negatively affected yields in some areas. To address this, additional training on soil and water conservation techniques in mango orchards has been conducted.

Future Directions

Investment in Value Addition: Expanding processing capabilities to produce dried mangoes, juices, and jams will increase product shelf life and market value.
Strengthened Market Linkages: Enhancing market access and establishing strong supply chains will ensure farmers can sell their produce efficiently.

Conclusion

Fruit trees play a critical role in climate change mitigation, yet much focus has been placed on forest trees, overlooking the contribution of fruit-bearing trees. Grafted mangoes not only provide nutrition and income but also contribute to global warming mitigation. Given their socioeconomic and environmental benefits, expanding this initiative—potentially integrating it with beekeeping—will further enhance livelihoods and sustainability.

A farmer tendering to her ripe fruits

Harvested mango fruits

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Oct 25, 2024
Empowering a Widow through Sustainable Kitchen Gardening: A Path to Self-Reliance and Food Security

By Paul Odalo | Monitoring, Evaluation & Partnership Officer

Pamela tendto her innovated kitchen garden

Pamela Aoko Amos, a 65-year-old widow, faces the daily challenge of providing for her five children, two of whom are still in school. With limited resources, the family often struggled to afford three decent meals a day, relying heavily on the uncertain support of well-wishers to secure even one meal. Pamela’s only source of income came from occasional labor, which was physically demanding and inconsistent, especially for someone her age.

When Pamela learned about The Mango Tree – Our Land, Our Lives project, she saw an opportunity to change her circumstances. Recognizing the difficulties faced by many families in her village, including her own, in accessing fresh vegetables due to high prices and scarce supply, Pamela eagerly joined the organic vegetable kitchen gardening group. She attended every practical session with a keen interest, determined to break free from the cycle of food insecurity. Her engagement with facilitators and willingness to learn new skills underscored her commitment to improving her family’s situation.

After completing the training and receiving support to build a garden tower, Pamela became one of the first participants to set up her vegetable garden, even during a harsh dry spell. As of the reporting period, Pamela’s garden is thriving, providing her family with a steady supply of fresh vegetables. She no longer struggles to put healthy food on the table. She can sell surplus produce, generate enough income to cover school fees, purchase uniforms, and meet other household needs.

"I never knew I could produce such nice vegetables on my rocky land with very little water and in such a small space," Pamela reflects. "I lack the words to express my gratitude to the project. It has been years of struggle for food, but I am a light to my fellow widows today. They come to me for advice, and I am happy to share my knowledge and skills in kitchen gardening. Even my in-laws now respect me because, in my village, I am the only one producing fresh vegetables during the dry season."

Pamela tendto her innovated kitchen garden

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