In Makueni, Kenya, farmers know better than anyone how crucial water is. For years, they watched rainwater disappear before it could nourish their crops. The soil was too hard, and despite their efforts, the harvests stayed low.
The problem went deeper. Farming methods were not aligned with the reality of their land. What was missing was a way of farming that worked with the earth. Farmers needed an approach that respected the landscape, captured water, restored the soil, and built resilience for the future.
Through our work at Enviu Agrifood, together with Biovision Africa Trust and the support of IKEA Foundation, Peretti Foundation, and Nationale Postcode Loterij, we are equipping smallholder farmers with the knowledge of farming practices that are tailor-made, designed field by field, adjusted to the slope of the land, the type of soil, the typical rain patterns, and the socio-economic needs of the farmer. With these techniques, the land is changing. Water is staying longer. Crops are growing more resilient, and the soil is richer, more alive.And the farmers saw the results within the first few seasons. Harvests have doubled and farmers have a new sense of confidence about the future.
But individual success is only the start. Regenerative agriculture flourishes when surrounded by supportive networks. At Enviu, we focus on building these ecosystems by introducing interventions that close gaps in the system and enable regenerative agriculture to thrive in the long term.
Watch the full Makueni story here:
