Women Tackling Malnutrition Through Alternative Farming: A Case of "Tule Vyema" Community-Based Organization in Kiserian

Abstract

Urban areas worldwide have experienced a surge in population growth in recent times. The rapid increase in the urban population brings about many challenges to food security. With the increase in urban poverty, there is a renewed interest in looking at alternative strategies for improving urban livelihoods. Urban food insecurity is an emerging challenge exacerbated by climate change, low income, and limited access to land. In many developing countries, the growing urbanization brings about poverty, food insecurity, malnutrition, and other challenges. Many children in Kenya are severely malnourished and risk dying from drought-related hunger (Quintana, D. and H. Wenban-Smith, (2020). Pregnant and nursing mothers across Kenya may suffer from malnutrition thus adversely affecting their children’s health. Alternative farming in urban areas represents an avenue for increasing food supply, bettering health conditions and providing a source of income. This paper explored the use of alternative farming to address malnutrition. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and utilized qualitative data collection methods and analysis. The target population comprised women who are beneficiaries of the CBO. Purposive sampling was used to select 15 women who were interviewed. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. The findings demonstrated improved diet intake, food security, knowledge in nutrition, reduced household malnutrition, improved health in adults and children, and economically empowered women.