The NICE Project Reflects on Its Efforts to Increase Inclusivity for Women in the Nutrition Space as We Mark International Women’s Day. 

The article was published in The East African Newspaper Edition on 9th March 2024. https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/uYlGCBNN9cVpjRynczAybe?domain=theeastafrican.co.ke “International Women’s Day” is celebrated on March 8th every year. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of women and to raise awareness about the injustices and biases that women face every day. This year’s theme is #InspireInclusion, which …

Profits spring from leafy harvests

Climate-smart solutions support production of nutritious vegetables Vegetables are good for consumers’ health and farmers’ incomes. Growing them requires care, however – and enough water. Our work in Kenya includes increasing the productivity of traditional local crops. Calistus Opanga’s Farmers’ Hub (FH) specializes in African Leafy Vegetables. These highly nutritious plants are grown and consumed …

Hatching a plan to make a positive difference

NICE helps to provide eggs and meat to Busia County Commercial egg production is harder than it sounds. Combining it with chick hatching and meat production diversifies the business, helps farmers and provides healthy food. An example from Kenya shows what’s possible. Euphemy Aoko already had lots of experience with poultry. But since joining the …

A second career that started with chicks

Solar incubation helps more eggs reach urban consumers Eggs can make a valuable contribution to healthy city diets. Solar incubators help urban businesses meet the demand. A woman-led Farmers’ Hub in Kenya shows the way forward. During her business career, Salome Naliaka lived in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. After retirement, she moved back to Bungoma …

A taste for tilapia

Fish farming is a thriving source of income and nourishment In the NICE project, fish plays an important role. Shifting activities from field to lake can be challenging for farmers. However, with due care, “swimmers are winners”.    Early on market day, the Hainja Farmers’ Hub in Port Victoria, Busia County, is already abuzz. Women like …

Empowering women and youth as food prices skyrocket

The NICE partners in Kenya(*) recently updated key government officials on project progress. The Chief Guest was the Rt. Hon. Kenneth Lusaka, Governor of Bungoma County. Moderated by our project consultant Wilson Songa, the meeting addressed urban nutrition and food safety, and ways to scale up the work. Lusaka emphasized that “there is a need to …

Growing traditional crops: growing reputation

A long-established Women’s Group profits from producing African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) Assisted by Small Grants Initiative funding from the Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project, a number of enterprising food producers in the region of Busia County, Kenya, are finding deserved success A visit from an agricultural extension officer to their community was the starting …

Breeding chicks, broadening projects

An urban community group looks at ways to contribute to local needs Assisted by Small Grants Initiative funding through the Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project, a number of enterprising food producers in the region of Bungoma County, Kenya, are finding deserved success It was a message posted by a youth group on social media …

Self-help group promotes traditional crops

A farmers’ group providing nutritious leafy vegetables is gaining a reputation in their community and beyond   Assisted by Small Grants Initiative funding through the Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project, a number of enterprising food producers in the region of Busia County, Kenya, are finding deserved success Back in 2019, in a remote area …

NICE helps set a new pace in agroecology

Agroecology experts agree on the importance of women and youth in transforming food systems. A new conference format recently offered a stage on which to present NICE. Together with partners, we’re using this project to improve nutrition in cities. The first Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference took place recently in Nairobi, Kenya.  More than 500 participants …