The promise of Regenerative Agriculture for a resilient future

As Africa confronts significant yield gaps and countless farmers struggle to realize their productivity potential, the urgency for sustainable solutions has never been greater. Local food systems are not only straining ecosystems but also contributing to the global climate crisis. The entrenched reliance on intensive conventional farming is ravaging soil health, leading to dismal harvests. This vicious cycle of soil degradation and low yields is ensnaring farmers and their families in poverty, hindering their efforts to improve their livelihoods.

To break this cycle, we urgently need an integrated approach. This is a call to action for governments, development partners, and the private sector to come together and tackle the pressing issues of  food security, poverty reduction, environmental degradation, and climate change adaptation. Such collaboration is not merely advantageous—it is essential for preserving the natural resources we depend on today and in the future. Each stakeholder plays a pivotal role in this collective endeavour.

Regenerative Agriculture (RA) presents a promising solution to the multifaceted challenges facing our agri-food systems. By restoring and enhancing soil health, RA practices help to mitigate the environmental impacts of food production, safeguard the climate, conserve water resources, and foster biodiversity. Beyond ecological gains, RA bolsters rural economies, enhances food security, and creates meaningful job opportunities, particularly for youth. These benefits underscore the potential of RA to transform our agricultural systems.

REALMS : Transforming agriculture in Kericho County

The REALMS project is driving a farming revolution in Kericho County by promoting regenerative agricultural practices that improve livelihoods and the environment.

• Minimum tillage: This practice reduces soil carbon oxidation by minimising soil disturbance, allowing for higher carbon sequestration. The result? Improved soil health, greater water and nutrient retention, contributing to more sustainable, productive farmland.

• Increased soil cover: By promoting the use of cover crops and landscape regeneration, we are reducing soil erosion while boosting biomass production. This preserves valuable topsoil and increases organic matter, fostering long-term soil fertility.

• Enhanced biodiversity: Regenerative agriculture enhances biodiversity, leading to optimized land use and more resilient ecosystems. By attracting beneficial organisms and reducing pest and disease outbreaks, we're creating a more balanced, productive farming environment.

• Improved soil water holding capacity: Increased organic matter from regenerative practices significantly enhances the ability of farms and grazing areas to retain water. This improves drought resilience and ensures that crops and pastures thrive even in changing climatic conditions.

• Improved crop-livestock integration and nutrient cycling: Integrating crops and livestock creates a natural nutrient cycle that reduces the need for external inputs. This closed-loop system lessens the pressure on natural resources, improving farm sustainability and enhancing soil and animal health.

By focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and resource-efficient practices, regenerative agriculture builds resilient systems that mitigate the risks of climate change and crop failures, securing better futures for farmers in Kericho County and beyond.

From theory to practise

Circular farming, I am a Champion!

As we navigate the hilly terrain of Ainamoi Sub County, Kericho County, passing through the lush, undulating tea plantations, my phone suddenly rings. 'Vijana wangu wako kwa barabara wanawangoja, walisikia mnakuja wakasema lazima wawakaribishe vizuri'—my children are waiting for you by the road; they heard you were coming and insisted they give you a warm welcome, Isabella says, her voice full of excitement.

A few minutes later, we spot two young children waving with contagious enthusiasm. We pick them up; the youngest, Kipkalya, proudly takes on the role of our navigator. Animatedly directing us home.

Isabella Ng’eno is one of the Master Trainers in the REALMS (Regenerative Agricultural Practices for Improved Livelihoods and Markets) project. Her home serves as a hub of circular farming innovation. As we step out of the car, we are greeted by the familiar, earthy smell of a thriving poultry farm. From brooding to fully matured birds, Isabella's poultry business operates like a well-oiled machine.

'I started my poultry venture back in 2013,' she explains, 'and over time, I have expanded to selling both fully grown chickens and two-week-old chicks.'

Like many farmers, Isabella soon faced a challenge: what to do with the waste produced by her flock. For years, she discarded it, unaware of its hidden potential. This changed in 2022 when she attended a training session organised by the REALMS project. There, she learned about the power of regenerative agriculture—specifically, how to convert poultry waste into valuable compost and even produce chicken feed.

With the cost of chicken feed soaring, Isabella saw an opportunity. She embraced Black Soldier Fly farming and earthworm production, transforming what was once waste into a resource. Today, she produces enough feed for her flock and uses the nutrient-rich frass as an organic fertilizer for her farm. To see the real impact, Isabella ran a side-by-side test on her land, comparing crops grown with organic frass to those using conventional fertilizer. The results were remarkable—healthier soil, more resilient crops, and an overall increase in yield.

Isabella’s farm has since blossomed into a model of circular farming. In addition to poultry, she grows a variety of traditional vegetables and fruits, which she sells at the local market in Kapsoit town. This provides her family with a steady income and offers the community access to fresh, healthy produce.

Isabella’s journey from a poultry farmer to champion of regenerative agriculture is proof of the transformative power of REALMS. Her story inspires others in her community to embrace sustainable practices and highlights that farmers everywhere can become champions of regenerative agriculture with the right tools and knowledge.

Youth in Regenerative Agriculture

Tony Owen Kipkorir is on a mission, fuelled by a deep desire to spark transformation in his community. On International Youth Day, we met Tony at the SNV Eldoret office, where he joined fifteen other young farmers to share their learnings, challenges, and aspirations from their work across SNV projects. His passion is palpable as he enthusiastically engages, eager to both inspire and be inspired.

‘I take great pride in my achievements over the past two years. I can confidently say that I have helped many in my community embrace RA practices’ Tony says with a smile reflecting humility and pride. ‘If you have a farm problem, just call me,’ he adds with a spark of confidence.

Born and raised in Buret Sub County, Kericho County, Tony is a Farmer Field School (FFS) facilitator under the REALMS project. He recalls the moment everything changed, ‘Two years ago, I heard the REALMS Project was conducting a training in my area. That began a beautiful journey filled with growth, learning, and opportunities. Through the training, we delved into various aspects of Regenerative Agriculture, and from there I helped form five groups in my home area, each with 20 members. These groups have blossomed into thriving Farmer Field Schools: New Dawn FFS, Sach Angwan FFS, Maluktany FFS, Kapsenetwet Widows FFS, and Chelilis FSS.’

Today, the groups stand as vibrant hubs of activity, each with functional nurseries propagating vegetable seedlings for sale. Beyond this, they manufacture and market Regenerative Agriculture products, including ash brew, tea manure, foliar, Bio Slurry, and Azola. Every member has also committed to setting up a kitchen garden at home, turning their learning into practice.

Tony’s leadership and initiative have not gone unnoticed. He works closely with Hon. Anita Byegon, the area’s Member of the County Assembly, facilitating training on vertical gardens—a clear testament to his growing influence and active role within the community.

Beatrice Chebet and Sharon Chelagat, two youthful farmers working for Kericho County’s Government Department of Agriculture, share a similar vision. Both are deeply involved in training and supporting farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices, demonstrating the growing network of young leaders championing sustainable farming in Kericho.

We need to see more young people engaged in agriculture, especially regenerative agriculture. The Farmer Field Schools have been excellent in driving them towards farming. Our experience shows that since we established the FFS, more young people are visiting to learn and understand Regenerative Agriculture.

Government’s role in scaling regenerative agriculture

Government institutions have the vision and tools to identify the needs and pathways for implementing sustainable agricultural practices. Achieving economic growth alongside social and environmental sustainability is a key policy goal for any government, making their support crucial in addressing environmental challenges. Government backing significantly influences the business ecosystem and fosters entrepreneurship and innovation, positioning it as a vital external resource and a primary catalyst for driving change in the regenerative agriculture space.

In Kenya, the REALMS project has demonstrated the power of collaboration between government and local stakeholders to achieve this transformation. Across the five counties where REALMS is active—Kakamega, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, and Kericho—the project partners closely with county agriculture departments to enhance learning and create a conducive environment for the widespread adoption of RA practices.

'In Kericho, tea companies are increasingly strict about chemical use—many won’t buy leaves treated with synthetic fertilizers or harmful chemicals. With REALMS’ support, our farmers are embracing organic practices, which are viable alternatives. Kericho should be recognized as a haven for Regenerative Agriculture,’ Mr. Mutai emphasises

The promise of regenerative agriculture

The promise of regenerative agriculture goes far beyond improved farming practices. It has the potential to reshape the food system into one that is more sustainable, resilient, and equitable. By improving soil fertility and crop yields, RA practices enhance food security, especially in regions vulnerable to climate change. Additionally, these techniques can stimulate economic growth and create new business opportunities in rural areas, providing a lifeline for smallholder farmers and fostering locally based food systems.

In Kenya, smallholder farmers are the backbone of the country’s food production system, playing a pivotal role in the success of regenerative practices. By empowering them, we can build resilient communities that thrive economically while safeguarding the environment for future generations. Farmers, like Isabella Ng'eno, Tony Owen and Susan Chelagat are living proof of the transformative power of regenerative agriculture. Their success stories inspire hope and demonstrate the potential of regenerative practices. It's time for transformative action that places RA at the core of sustainable food systems, with the needs and contributions of these farmers at the forefront. As the REALMS Project continues to expand, its success in Kericho County is a clear example of how regenerative agriculture can lead to a more prosperous and sustainable future for all.

Written by: Emmanuel Ocholla, Colline Kibet and Harold Odoro