From Monoculture to Regenerative Farming: Kenyan Farmers Lead the Way
Regenerative farming is not merely a theoretical concept; it is a practice that offers tangible solutions to the challenges of food insecurity and land degradation that farmers face today. There is a growing need for real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate how regenerative farming is not only revitalizing degraded lands but also providing hope for a more resilient future. An Agroecologist's perspective on a regenerative farming project in Kenya can offer valuable insights into the challenges and firsthand experiences of supporting farmers transitioning from conventional to regenerative farming practices.
Celestine Otieno has been working with smallholder farmers in Western and Central Kenya since 2019, identifying those who practice conventional monocropping systems and training them in regenerative farming and agroforestry. A meeting with her provided the following insights on how to help farmers transition to regenerative farming practices:
The considerations
How Regenerative Agriculture is Transforming Kenya’s Farmlands
Monoculture vs. Regenerative System
A farmer needs a system that is profitable and sustainable. In the past decade, successful agriculture meant high productivity, which led to high input costs and the use of chemical products. After battling the dynamic impacts of climate change, most producers have come to understand that incorporating natural systems into agricultural production is the best way to ensure profitable, efficient, and high-quality food production.
While adapting to natural systems, regenerative agriculture has proven to require low input in order to establish a high-quality production system. What does this mean for the local household farmer?
- Use of locally available materials: low input cost
- Local resilience to climate change effects
- Healthy and nutritious food: improved health, etc
Since the transition is not easy in most third-world economies, social enterprises like eGro, reNature, The Nature Conservancy, Soil Capital, The Land Institute, and so on are supporting local farmers through this transition by building community learning hubs, providing guidance on change management, and offering input and insurance support.
The Planning: How to Successfully Transit to a Regenerative Agriculture System
Regenerative farming essentially involves making very complex systems work together. Change requires critical planning for all these entities to function in harmony, taking into consideration the existing stressors resulting from previous activities.
While working with semi-arid corn and sugarcane fields in Homabay, Kenya, water and nutrient cycles were the most significant stressors. Since our farmers are our greatest experts, they use their indigenous knowledge and skills to design, plan, and adapt regenerative systems. The planning involves various entities, as illustrated below.
The Journey of Navigating Unforeseen Risks
Every action has a reaction. The journey of restoring natural systems is complex and dynamic, often promoting or resisting change. When change is promoted, there are measurable Key Performance Indicators, including improved microbial activity, pest resistance, and stable water and nutrient cycles for farmers. This represents a significant milestone in ensuring stability, efficiency, and profitability. However, when there is resistance to change, farmers often face intensive pests and diseases, water and mineral cycle imbalances, and unpredictable outcomes. At this stage in the transition process, a higher percentage of farmers resort to returning to chemical practices (this is the biggest risk in regenerative agriculture transitioning). To control this, we work to build resilience both ecologically on farms and socially with farmers.
The Challenges on the Ground - Regenerative Agriculture in Kenya: Overcoming Challenges and Risks
One of the first significant obstacles faced was identifying the right farmers to work with. Successful regenerative agriculture requires farmers who are not only open to innovation but also ready to adapt to working with natural systems. These farmers must share their experiences widely to challenge the regenerative mindset and inform change by walking the talk. Finding these farmers proves to be more complex since we are in a continuously evolving and dynamic agricultural era.
Many farmers were deeply entrenched in traditional farming methods, and convincing them of the long-term benefits of regenerative practices required patience and trust-building.
Land ownership also emerged as a major challenge. In Kenya, land tenure systems are often unclear, with many farmers working on leased or shared land. This lack of secure, long-term ownership discouraged adopting practices such as agroforestry, which require sustained effort and time to show results. Farmers were understandably hesitant to commit to such practices without the assurance of long-term benefits.
Lessons Learned - Lessons in Resilience: Kenyan Farmers Adopt Regenerative Practices
The experience in Kenya has provided several key insights for anyone looking to implement regenerative agriculture:
- The Power of Community: Farmers who share ideas and collaborate with others can create a ripple effect, speeding up the adoption of new practices and building collective resilience. A community-driven approach fosters trust and accelerates change.
- Patience and Flexibility Are Essential: Change takes time, especially when it involves unlearning old habits and adopting new methods. This experience demonstrates the importance of persistence and adaptability in overcoming resistance and fostering lasting change.
- Addressing Land Ownership Challenges: For long-term practices like agroforestry to thrive, there must be a focus on securing land tenure. Farmers are more likely to invest in sustainable practices if they feel confident that their land will remain theirs in the future.
- Gender Inclusion Amplifies Success: Including both men and women in training programs creates a more holistic community impact. Women, who often play key roles in household farming decisions, are vital to the success of such initiatives, ensuring a more equitable and effective transformation.
Further reading
Transforming Africa's Water Systems Through Agronomy and Collaborations
The importance of Networking and Collaboration amongst Farmers In Zambia and Sub-Saharan Africa
South African Government Initiatives and Support for Sustainable Agricultural Practices
Integrating Farmer Innovation and Scientific Knowledge n Ghana’s Cocoa Sector for Sustainability
Vulnerability and Risks for Female Producers in Shea Kernel Production
Regenerative Agriculture: What is it? Who is it for? Common practices, principles and resources
Regenerative Sugarcane: Sustainable Farming with Organomineral Fertilizers and CBIOs