Kibera's vertical farms

Creation of new green areas, Knowledge creation and awareness raising

Urban agriculture in Nairobi is practiced in backyard farms, on open spaces under power lines, along roadsides, railway lines and riverbanks as well as on institutional land. In the mid 1980s, when the urban population reached one million mark, 20% of Nairobi households were growing crops and 17% kept livestock within the city limits. It is estimated that 30% of households in Nairobi are involved in urban farming. The present project has as goals the following: 1. To create social value by the promotion of value-chain development and direct producer– consumer marketing. 2. To provide pluvial flood regulation: Outdoor urban farms increase the amount of pervious surface, and can capture, store, and infiltrate rainwater, reducing runoff. 3. To provide heat regulation: Urban agricultural areas reduce urban heat by creating shade and have an ameliorating effect on the immediate local climate, and in the case of arid climates, increased humidity. 4. To promote the sack gardening technique. 5. To impact biodiversity at all levels: insects, crops, opportunistic plants etc. (1,2,3,4,5)

This is a project that dates back to the 1980s as peri-urban agriculture has always been an integral part in the lives of inhabitants around big cities. In the early 2000s parts of the slam were considered garbage dumps. More than 1,000 people started growing food in a similar way (so, tall sacks, filled with dirt, and people grow crops in them on different levels by poking holes in the bags and planting seeds)–something that Red Cross International recognized during 2007 and 2008 when there was conflict in the slums of Nairobi. No food could come into these areas, but most residents didn’t go without food because so many of them were growing crops–in sacks, vacant land, or elsewhere. The urban farmers grow vegetables such as spinach, kale, green onions and tomatoes, a source of important nutrients to supplement diets dominated by ugali maize meal. The surplus is sold in markets to boost daily income. Small plots were voluntarily given by the communities (without compensation) for the establishment of nursery beds. Solidarités provides the seeds, and community mobi- lisers support the community members in management of the nurseries. It takes at least three weeks for the seedlings to mature enough to be transplanted into the sacks or kitchen gardens. And already at this stage community participation is impor- tant. It is important to explain that the seedlings will be distributed for free to community members who qualify as per the selection criteria. In the context of a slum, crops with a short growing period and long-term benefits are needed. For instance, in the first phase of the programme it was noted that (crop bulb) onions took too long to mature, so the participants opted for leafy onions. Furthermore, the quality of the soil and water for irri-gation present challenges. However difficult, it is important to ensure that hygiene and good sanitation are practiced, especially near the seedbeds, to prevent contamination. Throughout the years different international and local organisations provided support to inhabitants and therefore the project is still ongoing. (2,3,4)

• Citizens or community groups
• Marginalized groups: Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed), Other
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)