Samburu village reduces malnutrition through vegetable farming

Ngilai community in Samburu county embarks on vegetable farming to address malnutrition. The USAID Nawiri programme has seen malnutrition rate reduce from 37 per cent to 20.3 per cent. [Michael Saitoti, Standard]

The Ngilai community in Samburu East is predominantly pastoralist and livestock is their source of food and wealth.

This is one of the driest constituencies in Samburu county, where rainfall is minimal and unpredictable.

The perennial drought has led to hunger, malnutrition and pasture scarcity.

The USAID Nawiri programme has introduced vegetable farming among the local community in efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition in the county.

Lbareti Lepuyapui is one of the 108 villagers who have embarked on vegetable farming.

Lepuyapui, a member of the Siare Siligi community group, has experienced the pain of going for days without food and having to rely on relief services.

He said that although relief food was a valuable support and addressed the immediate need, it was a short-term measure.

"Death and illness due to hunger and malnutrition continued as we struggled to find enough resources to feed our families," he said.

Lepuyapui explained that the Nawiri programme largely focuses on vegetable farming and educating the Ngilai community on agricultural practices to increase food security.

"We used to rely on livestock only for drought to wipe them out, leaving us in poverty. We acknowledge that we can earn through vegetable farming," he said.

"With the skills and knowledge that we have acquired, we can now feed our families a balanced diet and tackle the high malnutrition rate in this region," he added.

In one season, more than 50 children in Ngilai village used plumpy nuts to treat moderate acute malnutrition.

Lepuyapui said the number has drastically reduced and the vegetable farming venture has also assisted pregnant mothers to get the necessary nutrition.

"With the extra vegetable farmed in the three community farms, we can sell and purchase other food items," he said.

The initiative, which started five years ago, has seen two acres of land put under vegetable farming, and more than 100 villagers are involved in the venture.

The members are divided into three groups: Siare Siligi with 34 members; Lakira with 36, and Nailepu with 38 members.

Samburu county Nutritionist Delphina Kaaman said besides the nutritional benefits of growing vegetables, the initiative has financially benefited the villagers.

Kaaman noted that according to the 2023 survey, the malnutrition rate has reduced from 37 per cent to 20.3 per cent.

"This has been attributed to the intervention of various organisations like Nawiri, which trains the communities in vegetable farming," he said.

Lbari Lebiite, a vegetable farmer, said the USAID Nawiri programme has helped them understand vegetable farming and how to earn a living from the venture.

"The education we have received has helped us address rampant malnutrition among women and children. The case here has reduced drastically, and at the same time, we are making money through farming vegetables," Lebitte said.

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