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Urban dwellers embrace kitchen gardens for food security

Omar Ali, a resident of Mlaleo in Kisauni sub-county, Mombasa. (Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | Sunday, April 7, 2024

Besides cost savings, the farmers value the safety of consuming chemical-free, homegrown produce for the family.

Unlike in the past, where urban residents used balconies and backyards for decorations, there's a growing trend of converting gardens into kitchen gardens to tackle living costs and enhance food security.

Omar Ali, a resident of Mlaleo in Kisauni sub-county, Mombasa, is among those urban dwellers who've transformed their backyards into productive kitchen gardens, cultivating various vegetables and maize.

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Ali, a banker, made the switch earlier this year following the soaring prices of tomatoes and onions.

"When tomatoes hit Sh20 each and onions soared to Sh200 per kilo, feeding my family of four became financially burdensome," he said.

Ali drew inspiration from a local television programme showcasing innovative farming techniques for limited spaces.

"I watched a programme on a local television and I got an idea on how I could grow my food using limited space," he said.

Some of the chickens reared by Omar Ali. (Mishi Gongo)

Initially experimenting with sack planting, Ali eventually opted for traditional ground planting due to a shortage of sacks. He now grows tomatoes, kales, onions, capsicum, and passion fruit, utilising chicken manure from his poultry for fertiliser.

Similarly, Ruth Orwa, a resident of VOK in Nyali sub-county, Mombasa, has significantly trimmed her budget by cultivating vegetables behind her house.

Besides cost savings, Orwa values the safety of consuming chemical-free, homegrown produce for her family.

"Unlike market vegetables treated with chemicals for preservation, mine are fresh and safe," she says.

Orwa initially cleared and cultivated her backyard, relying on online resources for gardening tips. She now supplies her family with fresh vegetables and occasionally sells surplus produce to neighbours.

"When I moved in here last year, the back of the house was used as a storage room. But because I am passionate about farming, I saw an opportunity. I produce vegetables for my family and once in a while sell them to neighbours," said Orwa.

Encouraging others to follow suit, Orwa says she manages her garden using basic tools like buckets for watering due to limited space.

"With a small area, I simply use a bucket to water the plants in the morning and evening," she explained.