What is Agroecology, And Why Kenyan Farmers Should Care.

Agriculture is evolving and with a good reason. There are more droughts, fertilizer is too high priced, and farmers are getting weary of bad yields. That is where agroecology comes in.

Agroecology: Kenyan farmer planting vegetables using traditional farming methods
(Agroecology starts with working with nature, just like many farmers in Kenya already do)
So, what is agroecology?
This is is simply farming with nature: not against it. It is the use of local seeds, natural fertilizers such as manure or compost, growing various kinds of crops as a mix, caring about the soil, water, and environment. This is how most of our grandparents farmed wisely and respectfully with nature in mind.

What does this mean to the Kenyan farmers?
Agroecology helps farmers in various ways, it includes:

Saving money with less number of chemicals
Produce healthy safe food
Time to increase soil quality
Farm even in hard seasons such as drought
Economically eliminate pests without bug sprays
In places like Kitale, Muranga, Makueni, and Kisumu, farmers are already turning to agroecology. They grow on manure, use rain water, cultivate crops of the local area such as sorghum or cowpeas and yet they make profit. Others actually sell to families and markets who are interested in organic and healthy vegetables.

Agroecology in action. Fresh local produce for sale in a Kenyan market
(Many Kenyan farmers using agroecological practices are supplying healthy, chemical-free produce to local markets).
It is farming with the land NOT trying to make it. It enables farmers to produce food daily and leave land tomorrow.

Agroecology: a healthy intercropped farm field in Kenya
Agroecology encourages mixing crops to improve soil and reduce pests.
Are you a young person interested in sustainable farming? Read how other young people are embracing farming.

Final word?
Agroecology is not a trend. It is a re-turn towards smart, safe, and sustainable agriculture. The type that nourishes our households and our tomorrow.