Promoting School Gardening for Sustainable Food Production in Isiolo County
Hunger among school-going children in Isiolo County is a pressing issue that affects their overall well-being and academic performance. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), in 2019, 37% of children under the age of 18 experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, with many going to school hungry every day in the County. Many children have become reliant on the government funded one meal a day programme, which is still not enough to cover their daily food and nutrition requirements. It’s on this basis MID-P through the support of Johanniter International Assistance initiated the establishment of school gardening project in 7 schools of Isiolo County. Integration of sustainable agricultural practices into school gardens is an opportunity for school-going children to learn new, climate smart and innovative farming methods, and to grow more diverse and nutritious food. The food produced can supplement the existing school meals, add variety to the school menu, improve the nutritional status and cognitive performance of the children, and contribute to their growth. As access to diverse fresh fruits and vegetables is often limited in ASAL regions due to limited availability, high prices and long distances to markets, having organic school gardens can play a vital role in improving children’s nutrition. This is because by…

