Empowering women and youth: How NICE Project is boosting nutrition and economic growth in Kenya’s Busia and Bungoma
The Nutrition in City Ecosystems NICE) project is a flagship project implemented in Kenyan secondary cities of Busia and Bungoma. As we are moving towards the end of Phase one, we have gathered and consolidated our experience and learning in the economic and social transformation of women and youth groups in these two cities.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, The Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) Project shines a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of Otaga Farmers’ Hub, a thriving community of women who are not only cultivating success but transforming their lives and the community around them but echo this year’s theme of Accelerate Action. This farmers’ hub comes from Busia County, Kenya and their Chairlady Catherine Otaga has been at the helm of this inspiring initiative, guiding the group towards sustainable farming and healthier living through their participation in the project.
Under her leadership, these women have enhanced their knowledge and adoption of agroecological and good agricultural practices, with a focus on growing African leafy vegetables (ALVs) and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP).
“We are proud to offer our community African leafy vegetables that are grown through agroecological practices such as composting, cover cropping and utilizing integrated pest management techniques. Our women have benefitted tremendously, not just in terms of income, but also in improving their nutrition and overall health. Our work has created a ripple effect in Busia, inspiring others to join the cause.” Catherine Otaga informs us.
The group is also engaged in value addition for the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes into flour and other edible snacks such as crackers and ensuring compliance and certification with the existing product standards (Kenya Bureau of standards).
Empowering Women Smallholders: The Success of Mumbiri Self-Help Group
On this day, we also recognize the remarkable achievements of women smallholders who are driving change and economic empowerment in their communities. One such inspiring example is the Mumbiri Self-Help Group, founded in 2006 by women farmers seeking mutual support in agriculture. Their journey highlights resilience, innovation, and the power of collective action in overcoming challenges.
Under the leadership of Chairperson Mildred Auma, the group has transformed lives through their dedication to farming and entrepreneurship. A pivotal moment came when they discovered the NICE project’s Small Grants Initiative, an opportunity that enabled them to scale their poultry farming efforts. Mildred recalls how they took the initiative to apply and were thrilled to receive support that helped them access vital resources, including chicks, fertilized eggs, and raw materials to produce feed locally. This eased the financial strain of rising costs and allowed them to sustain their farming activities.
The impact was immediate and transformative. The women successfully nurtured their poultry, reinvesting proceeds to further expand their ventures. With plans to acquire an incubator and hatchery, they aim to strengthen their economic independence and ensure food security for their families and communities.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme Accelerate Action, the inspiring success stories of women-led agricultural initiatives in Bungoma and Busia highlight the incredible power of women to drive economic growth and transform communities. This has also been made possible through the joint efforts of the county governments of Busia and Bungoma where the project is implemented.
Both groups exemplify the spirit of International Women’s Day 2025, proving that investing in women leads to sustainable progress, and when women thrive, entire communities flourish.
Originally published on the Daily Nation on March 8th 2025