Integrated Actions for Innovative Food Systems Across Rural-Urban Communities Project Closes
The Integrated Actions for Innovative Food Systems Across Rural-Urban Communities Project has been closed. This follows four years of its implementation in Nairobi and Kisumu cities. A lot has been achieved through this project, which has also served to bring to the fore many more gaps that needs to be addressed for transformative urban food system.
The project improved the lives and livelihoods of rural and urban communities in Nairobi and Kisumu while highlighting the importance of urban food systems to ensure food security and nutrition which is FAO’s mandate.
Notable achievements of the project include the establishment of more than 500 micro gardens in schools and communities: engagement of youth in innovative ways of managing food waste while in the process creating jobs. A total of 27 community groups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were equipped with skills, technical knowledge and some supported to acquire inputs for their businesses. The development and launch of the food system strategies in Nairobi and Kisumu are great milestones that the cities will carry forward.
“From the two strategies, it is pleasing to see that both cities envision a food systems approach that is well structured, functional, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable for better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.” Said Carla Mucavi the FAO Kenya Representative said in her remarks.
Despite the challenges during implementation which included the COVID-19 pandemic the teams managed to achieve the goals set out in the project plan. In attendance was Nakuru and Mombasa cities which came to bench-mark as FAO mobilizes more funds to cover other these cities. “We are excited that a lot has been covered in this project and how we wish we were part of it. Please remember to extend this project to Nakuru city too” said Dr. Michael Cheruiyot who represented Nakuru County in the closure workshop.
“This has been a great project that has improved our city and we promise to safeguard the gains made in this project by integrating these activities in our workplans” said James Muchiri the Deputy Governor, Nairobi City Count who was the chief guest during the workshop.
Also present in the workshop were beneficiary youths who showcased their projects. Among them were Vincent Oduor, a youth engaged in aquaculture and ornamental fish production in Kisumu, Abraham Mwangi an organic vegetable farmers based in Runda Nairobi and Korogocho food waste youth champions who are re-cycling market waste into fertilizers and artificial firewood. All these groups have received training, mentorship and inputs from the project.
“The food system strategies developed by the two cities and actions implemented are great milestones showcasing the progress made by county governments in the fight against food and nutrition insecurity.” Said Maureen Njeri, Green Nairobi CECM.
To support participatory and informed decision-making processes, the project used a Mapping Territorial Markets Methodology and guidelines developed by FAO to collect market information on the movement of foods into and out of the city. In collaboration with the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development, the project developed web-based visualization system that provides an opportunity to not only visualize how the food systems operates, in the particular the trade sub-system, but also monitor and act accordingly in order to improve access and functioning of the markets.
“One key lesson learnt through the project implementation that would inform future food system interventions was that, “a food systems” approach is a necessary condition for achieve sustained food security needs of current and future generation,” said Rebeccah Wanjiru, Project manager.
The Green Cities Initiative
FAO launched in 2021 the Green Cities Initiative that seeks to build resilience and wellbeing of urban population. In collaboration with this project, FAO has piloted the initiative in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa through actions such as urban agriculture, urban forestry, food waste management among others. FAO is currently working on the Green Cities Action Program for Africa where we will call on partnership with all stakeholders toward building back better food systems through cities. The Integrated Actions for Innovative Food Systems Across Rural-Urban Communities project was funded by the Government of Italy and implemented by the County Governments of Nairobi and Kisumu.