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Nestled in the rolling hills of Murang’a County, just 50 kilometers north of Nairobi, a quiet revolution is taking root. Amidst the lush greenery and fertile soils, agroecology is reshaping not only the way food is grown but also how communities think about health, nutrition, and sustainability.
In a nation grappling with the intertwined challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, Murang’a’s embrace of agro ecology offers a beacon of hope offering a path toward better health, more nutritious food, and stronger communities.
Agro ecology, a farming practice that blends ecological principles with traditional knowledge to create a more sustainable, resilient, and healthier food system.
In the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), agroecology plays a crucial role in shifting diets toward more nutritious, locally produced foods.
This approach also helps communities become more resilient to the effects of climate change by diversifying food sources and promoting sustainable farming practices.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has highlighted research on the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Kenya.
The connection between food and health is becoming increasingly clear, and agroecology could help bridge the gap by promoting healthier eating habits that are also good for the planet.
Through agro ecological practices, farmers are reclaiming control over their food systems, reducing their reliance on chemical inputs. This could help reduce the prevalence of diet-related diseases, such as diabetes, and obesity, which are on the rise in Kenya due to increased consumption of processed foods and a more sedentary lifestyle.
Farmers like Elizabeth Njeri, 56-year-old are already benefiting from agroecology’s promise. After years of navigating the bustling corporate world in Nairobi, Njeri a mother of four made a bold decision in 2020 when she traded her business suit for a farmer’s hat and embraced a life rooted in the soil.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency (KNA) Njeri says relocating to Murang’a, she turned her passion for farming into a full-time venture, initially cultivating vegetables on her two-acre farm in the tranquil village of Kigio, Gatanga Sub County.
Two years into her farming journey, she discovered agroecology, and everything changed. By learning about organic farming practices through organizations like Kenya Organic Agriculture Network she found a new way to connect with the land.
Read More: https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/agroecology-in-muranga-improves-diets-fights-chronic-diseases/
Adapted from Kenya News Agency
