Africa: Regenerative agriculture yields big wins for farmers and climate in Eastern Kenya

KENYA – Smallholder farmers in eastern Kenya are reporting higher yields, better incomes, and stronger resilience against climate change, according to a new report by Farm Africa.

The Strengthening Regenerative Agriculture in Kenya (STRAK) project, funded by the IKEA Foundation through AGRA, has reached more than 50,000 farmers across Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties.

Mary Nyale, country director at Farm Africa in Kenya, said farmers are showing that sustainable farming can also bring financial rewards.

“Our farmers are proving that sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive,” she said. “They’re growing more food, earning better incomes, and protecting the ecosystems they depend on.”

Through regenerative practices such as mulching, manure use, and fertilizer microdosing, maize farmers in Tharaka Nithi County have achieved strong returns.

Data from the report shows a Benefit-Cost Ratio of 5.0, meaning every shilling invested in regenerative maize farming generated five shillings in value. In Embu, similar methods produced net benefits of more than Ksh 211,509 per hectare of maize.

Beyond cereals, diversification is strengthening livelihoods. Beekeeping, poultry rearing, and agroforestry are offering steady income streams. Mati Mwasia, a beekeeper from Tharaka Nithi, said his honey production has grown sharply.

“I used to harvest 20 kilograms of honey but now I get 50 kilograms. I also mentor over 300 local farmers,” he explained.

For 27-year-old farmer Godfrey Kirimi, regenerative methods opened new opportunities. He doubled his tomato yields and expanded his farm into a six-acre business that now employs more than 30 people.

Long-term change through policy

The STRAK initiative is not limited to farm-level results. It also works with county governments and institutions to integrate regenerative agriculture into official plans.

By shaping county development strategies, Farm Africa is laying the groundwork for long-term adoption.

Village-Based Advisors (VBAs) are at the center of this growth. These local champions train farmers, link them to markets, and build confidence in the methods. As a result, 76% of farmers in STRAK’s target areas now use regenerative practices.

With climate change putting increasing strain on food systems, projects like STRAK highlight how farmers can adapt while still thriving.

Broader developments in the Region

Farm Africa believes lessons from STRAK can guide sustainable farming across Africa’s arid and semi-arid areas. Nyale noted that the model could be scaled up in other regions facing similar climate and soil challenges.

At the same time, Farm Africa is tracking related progress across the continent. In Ghana, the Urban Health Initiative has worked with city planners in Accra to link cleaner air and green spaces with better health outcomes.

By weaving health and environment goals together, the project shows how cities can improve quality of life while reducing emissions.

Taken together, these efforts point to a wider shift where both rural and urban communities in Africa are rethinking how they grow food and care for the environment.

STRAK’s results in Kenya stand as proof that regenerative agriculture can bring real gains to farmers and climate resilience alike.

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