Project Overview

The Women-Led Fruit Farming for Nutrition and Economic Growth Project is a flagship initiative by the African Centre for Environmental Energy and Climate Advocacy (ACEECA), designed to tackle malnutrition, food insecurity, and economic vulnerability in Tharaka Nithi County. Rooted in the principles of climate-smart agriculture and women’s economic empowerment, the project empowers women and Girls who have survived Gender Based Violence (GBV) to cultivate fruit orchards, diversify their income, and build climate resilience.

Context and Rationale

Tharaka Nithi County continues to face critical challenges such as poor dietary diversity, limited agricultural income, and the adverse effects of climate change. Women—who play a central role in food production and family nutrition—often lack access to essential resources, training, and markets. This project addresses these gaps by promoting sustainable fruit farming as a solution to both nutritional and economic hardships, particularly in women-led households.

Our Approach

Through a community-driven model, the project provides:

• Fruit tree seedlings (Pixie orange, lemon, mango) to establish diverse home orchards.
• Training in best agricultural practices, soil health, water conservation, and pest management.
• Capacity building in agribusiness, value addition, and market access.
• Climate-smart interventions like agroforestry, water harvesting, and soil conservation.
• Strategic partnerships with agricultural experts and market stakeholders to enhance sustainability.

Project Goals

The overarching goal is to enhance nutrition, food security, and economic resilience among women-led households through sustainable fruit farming. Specific objectives include:

• Increasing access to nutritious fruits.
• Improving household income through farming and market linkages.
• Promoting land restoration and carbon sequestration.
• Empowering women through skills development and agribusiness training.

Expected Impact

• Improved dietary diversity and household nutrition.
• Increased income from fruit sales and value-added products.
• Strengthened resilience against climate change and land degradation.
• Elevated participation of women in agricultural and economic decision-making.

Sustainability and Long-Term Vision

The project integrates sustainability by linking women farmers to microfinance institutions, cooperatives, and ongoing training in agribusiness. Future plans include the establishment of a local agro-processing plant to process fruits into high-value products such as juices, jams, and dried fruit—opening up new markets and minimizing post-harvest losses.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Progress will be tracked through:

• Regular field visits and farmer interviews.
• Digital farm monitoring tools.
• Mid-term and final evaluations.

Key Indicators:

• Number of fruit trees planted and thriving.
• Rise in household fruit consumption.
• Growth in women’s agricultural income.
• Adoption of climate-smart farming practices.