In Viwandani, an informal settlement in Nairobi’s industrial area, people suffer from poor nutrition and food insecurity. This also presents a major challenge for the local healthcare system. Biovision is working to build a sustainable and healthy food system that serves both farmers and consumers.
The project creates a direct link between rural farmers and people in informal urban settlements. This supports both income security for farmers and better access to nutritious food for consumers.
Biovision promotes agroecological practices among smallholder families in Makueni County. These methods protect the soil and biodiversity while increasing crop diversity. At the same time, the project aims to raise awareness of healthy diets in Nairobi’s informal settlements to prevent malnutrition and related diseases.
Project name:
Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT
Diabetes Awareness Trust (DAT)
Feedback to the Future (FttF)
Project budget in CHF :
This project is supported by SDC
In the first project phase, around 1,800 households in Viwandani were reached and 48 community health promoters trained. In Makueni, 700 farmers received training in regenerative agriculture. Initial urban gardens and a shop for organic products were established. Demand for healthy food increased – but stable market access still requires viable business models and better coordination along the value chain.
In the new project phase, existing approaches will be expanded and deepened. The number of trained farmers will be significantly increased, and additional agroforests will be established. Youth groups will be trained in business management and organic production.
In Viwandani, cooperation with health promoters, schools, and local health services will be strengthened. Healthy products from Makueni will be more effectively integrated into existing distribution structures.
New awareness campaigns and community events – including cooking workshops and food festivals – will promote healthy diets. The overall aim remains to establish a functioning food system between rural and urban areas that creates income, improves health, and strengthens a local, agroecological economy.
