Kenya: The Manayetu Initiative - Food Security Project

The ‘Manayetu initiative’, which means "Our Food" in Swahili language, is a targeted response to food insecurity in rural Kenya. The project’s methodological foundation is built on Participatory Innovation, where agricultural technologies are co-created with local farmers, students, and extension officers to ensure local ownership and sustainability.

The project is anchored by several key pillars: Keriko Secondary School, which serves as a hub for nutrition and education; the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC), which focuses on R&D for circular production systems; and Core Groups of local farmers who test and adapt technologies on their own plots. We focus on circular agriculture, such as Spirulina for human consumption and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae for chicken and fish feed. By integrating these activities into school curricula and establishing a Local Innovation Hub (LIH), we are creating a clear pathway from youth education to commercial scaling and collective economic empowerment.