Kenya: The impact of COVID-19 on the food system in Nairobi
Consumers could practice urban agriculture to boost household food security.
By Samuel Ikua
Thrive
Oct 15, 2020
Excerpt:
Kevin and Sylvester are members of an urban farming youth group in an informal settlement in Nairobi. They specialize in dairy goats but also produce indigenous chicken and vegetables. The milk produced is used by their households and for sale to their neighbors. Kevin says their urban agriculture contributes to food and nutrition security in the community since most of their dairy goat milk customers are parents with children under the age of 5, as well as adults with diverse health complications.
The disruption of movement between the Nairobi metropolitan area and the surrounding regions has made it difficult for them to access fodder. Inadequate fodder has led to low production, sales and income, interfering with farm operations. In terms of sales, Sylvestersays that “customers are not buying milk in large quantities anymore, and we are left with a surplus which we have to drink, otherwise it would go to waste.”
