Seeds and Skills for Women to Grow Vegetables

In Meru County, Kenya, 320 low-income, women-led households are growing fresh vegetables year-round, improving family nutrition, and earning additional income.

Seed Programs International (SPI) is partnering with The Village Trust (TVT) to empower households through the Vertical Smart Vegetable Farming program. TVT is a community-based nonprofit that promotes food security and uplifts women in low-income communities by using climate-smart, space-efficient farming methods. This initiative allows families to grow nutritious vegetables year-round with minimal space and water, strengthening household food security, improving nutrition, and generating additional income.

Each participating household received vertical grow bags pre-filled with soil and manure, training, and seedlings including spinach, kale, spring onions, and sweet potatoes. The hands-on technical training was provided to ensure every woman had the knowledge and confidence to kick-start her smart farming journey. 

Women now have reliable access to fresh vegetables at home, supporting better diets and dietary diversity. Surplus produce is sold in local markets, generating income for school fees, healthcare, and other essential household expenses. In the words of TVT Founder Dr. Sarah Kilemi, "The families that benefitted are reaping big in terms of vegetables." The success of this program has revealed the depth of need in the region. Many additional women came forward requesting grow bags, demonstrating strong demand for this type of support in the community. TVT remains committed to reaching those still waiting and looks forward to continued collaboration with SPI to expand this impact. 

This year, SPI is continuing to support TVT and arranged for the donation of 13,000 kgs of bean seed through a local seed donor. This donation will ensure the women can sustain and expand their growing activities.Thank you for making this possible, together, we are turning small spaces into big futures for women across Kenya.