Ustawi Africa works to improve gender equality and scale sustainable agricultural practices among rural women in Kenya. Since its founding, the organization reports it has trained more than 40,000 women and removed 150,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Doreen Irungu founded Ustawi Africa after seeing her mother struggle as a farming woman in a semi-arid rural area.
“Seeing her struggle without adequate knowledge, funding or access to technology made me determined to make a difference,” Irungu told Food Tank. “Ustawi Africa Hubs is more than just an organization; it’s a response to the challenges ingrained in my own upbringing.”
Irungu says the rural women Ustawi Africa serves face water scarcity, food insecurity, limited knowledge and resources, and climate vulnerability. To address these challenges, the organization takes an intersectional approach, teaching rural women about regenerative agriculture, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship.
“The organization’s greatest achievement is breaking the cycle of vulnerability and transforming women into dynamic agents of positive change in their communities,” Irungu told Food Tank.
More than 60 percent of people living in rural Kenya are women, according to the United Nations Women’s Agency, which also reports that women in these parts of the country have less access to political, economic and social development than their urban counterparts.
Irungu told Food Tank that Ustawi Africa teaches rainwater harvesting, building clay pot reservoirs, sustainable farming techniques, solar drip irrigation and the production of a nutrient-rich substance called humus.
“Our goal is clear. [women] “I want to equip African farmers with the knowledge and resources they need to be self-sufficient and resilient. Ustawi Africa is a tribute to all women, like my mother, who deserve a chance to succeed on the agricultural path,” Irungu told Food Tank.
Ustawi vermiremediation is a technique used by Ustawi Africa to improve soil health and sustainable agriculture. According to Irungu, the technique uses earthworms to improve soil health and structure, creating humus.
“Ustawi vermiremediation not only increases soil fertility, but also reduces the environmental impact of organic waste and contributes to a more sustainable and circular agricultural system,” Irungu says.
According to a study published in Nature, in sub-Saharan Africa, “earthworms contribute 10 percent of total grain production.” The study suggests that earthworms are crucial to global food production, and that investing in their introduction into agriculture could contribute to the goal of sustainable agriculture while supporting soil biodiversity.
Irungu told Food Tank that in addition to promoting sustainable agriculture, one of Ustawi Africa’s main goals is to create long-term, replicable solutions to the problems facing rural women.
“In essence, Ustawi Africa Hub’s multi-sectoral approach ensures a more nuanced and effective response to the complex challenges faced by rural women,” Irungu told Food Tank. “By addressing the interconnectedness of these challenges, the organization aims to create a holistic and sustainable impact and drive positive change within communities.”
Ustawi Africa also empowers women by creating access to direct markets for their agricultural products, and entrepreneurship training helps women run successful, self-sufficient businesses.
“Ultimately, we see the Ustawi Africa Hub as a replicable indicator of success,” Irungu told Food Tank, “offering a model that can be adapted globally to advance sustainable development and gender equality.”
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Photo credit: Ustawi Africa
