Farmers Reap Big from FAO-Supported Field Schools in Kenya

Felix Akinyi in Kenya

KITUI, KENYA – Every Tuesday, Esther Munani Kyalo, a mother of three from Miambani ward, Kitui County, joins 35 other women under a mango tree for a gathering that is transforming their lives. These sessions, hosted by the Kavakaky Farmer Field School, involve breeding chicks, learning new techniques, and making decisions to improve poultry farming. It’s a new ritual that has redefined how local farmers approach agriculture and business.

Nearby, 72-year-old Josphat Muthui Kangata starts his day tending to crops, goats, and a thriving new addition—bees. Every Friday, he hosts a group of honey producers, guided by community-based farmer Ruth Kavinya, to enhance the quality and quantity of their honey harvests.

These gatherings are part of a broader effort to transition Kenya’s small-scale farmers from subsistence to commercial farming. Livestock farming, including beekeeping and poultry, accounts for up to 90% of income in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands like Kitui. Recognizing this, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), through its Investment Centre, supported Kenya’s National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth (NARIG) project, funded by the World Bank.

Transformative Impacts
Since its inception, NARIG has reached 300,000 farmers across Kenya. In Kitui alone, over 400 farmer field schools have been established, teaching farmers to test and adopt innovative practices for better yields and incomes.

For Esther, these sessions have been life-changing. Before joining the field school, she struggled with high chicken mortality rates and poor growth, leading to minimal income. Armed with knowledge on better feeding, vaccination, and improved equipment, she now manages 295 chickens, up from just 15. “I am now a renowned poultry seller and can comfortably provide for my family,” she beams.

Josphat’s journey mirrors Esther’s success. Previously selling low-quality honey at just KES 80 (USD 0.62) per kilo, he now earns KES 1,000 (USD 7.80) per kilo by applying advanced beekeeping practices. His group has expanded their hives from seven to 48, and honey sales have become their main source of income.

Empowering Communities Through Field Schools
The field schools are more than educational hubs; they are centres of community empowerment. Participants learn to select and apply new technologies and management practices, share knowledge, and sell products collectively for better market access.

“Farmers are initially sceptical about new practices. Field schools give them the chance to test and compare methods, enabling informed decisions,” explains Gustavus Mwambui Muli, a government extension officer and master trainer in Kitui.

The results are clear: faster-growing chicken breeds and better feed have allowed some farmers to sell chicks three times a year instead of once. Honey producers now harvest pure honey using modified hives, reducing losses and improving quality.

Global Partnership Driving Local Change
FAO’s farmer field school approach is a flagship tool, implemented in over 90 countries since the 1980s. In Kenya, 11,000 field schools were established through NARIG, with community-based facilitators leading sessions across 21 counties.

“These schools bring farmers together to test, learn, and adopt innovations that have real impacts on their livelihoods,” says Mary Maingi, NARIG’s National Coordinator for community development.

A Model for Rural Transformation
As farmers like Esther and Josphat continue to thrive, the success of the NARIG project highlights the importance of investing in rural communities. By combining local leadership, international support, and practical training, farmer field schools are unlocking the potential of Kenya’s smallholder farmers, providing them with tools to escape poverty and build resilience for the future.

Through partnerships between FAO, the Kenyan government, and global financiers like the World Bank, the project not only addresses immediate agricultural challenges but also paves the way for sustainable economic growth in rural areas.