“The main challenge I envisioned initially was not lack of market, but a lack of water,” says Elizabeth Kyalo.

Elizabeth ventured into integrated organic farming (a cyclical, holistic farming system based on locally available natural resources) with the help of the government and USAID Advancing Nutrition. Despite having dug seven wells on her farm, they frequently ran dry.

Kitui County is one of Kenya’s arid and semiarid areas, which makes it difficult to grow crops, leaving people vulnerable to malnutrition. Of the country’s 47 counties, Kitui is one of four counties with high levels of stunting among children under five years, at 25 percent, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. The recent delayed rains and failed harvest in 2022 only worsened the situation.

Through nutrition-sensitive training, Elizabeth became a nutrition champion and recognized the opportunity to capitalize on the demand for vegetables while seeking an alternative source of water.

“I was taught how to treat water from my kitchen for reuse on the farm. All I need is ash from my kitchen,” she explained.

Elizabeth has since established a flourishing kitchen garden, harvesting vegetables for consumption and selling the surplus to her neighbors. She also trained 25 community members who established kitchen gardens.