Nutrition through food forests & gardens in Kenya

Introduction

Kind greetings from Drylands Natural Resources Centre (DNRC). We are happy to share with you our progress report on nutrition through food forest and gardens in Kenya. The food forests we have established with the farmers and the schools continue to flourish and giving diverse nutrition to both households and the school going children. The first school we established a food forest continue to enjoy continued food and fruit supply throughout the year as the trees mature at different times of the year. Families are slowly moving towards food sovereignty because of the diversity of different vegetables and fruits in both kitchen gardens and food forests. Apart from nutritional supplements, the diverse trees and vegetables continue to increase biodiversity and soil building besides other ecosystems services. Despite the dry spell we are experiencing now, households have maintained their kitchen gardens so as to reduce the expenses on food. DNRC staff and interns have been able to get enough vegetables and seasonal fruits from DNRC food forest. We say thank again for your continued and kind support which has enabled has to achieve our goal of food and nutrition security to our vulnerable households in the drylands of Kenya.

During the reporting quarter, DNRC staff were busy tending the gardens as well as maintaining the food forest and below are detailed activities of the same.

DNRC Food forest

During this reporting period, we were busy tending and managing the food forest through chop and drop. We were able to harvest some bananas, beans, passion fruits, cassava and guavas. We are also digging and treating holes in the food forest so as to expand it during this coming October- December rains.

DNRC Kitchen Gardens

The main activities during this reporting period were: Establishing vegetable nursery to propagate saplings for both DNRC kitchen gardens and for the farmers, watering, mulching, constant pest management using biological pesticides, composting and top dressing. At DNRC kitchen gardens, we have more than enough vegetables for staff, visitors and interns and now selling extra for income.

Water remain our main challenge to all our projects as seasonal river has dried up and we have to scope sand to get water.

Next quarter focus

Hole preparation to expand the food forest.

Continue maintaining existing gardens and expansion of the same.