In Sibumba village, Rosemary’s story is a shining example of how smallholder farmers are transforming their livelihoods through the support and guidance of Farm Input Promotions Africa (FIPS). Her thriving kitchen garden not only feeds her family but also inspires her neighbors to adopt improved farming technologies and sustainable practices.
When FIPS first introduced climate-smart farming techniques in Sibumba, Rosemary was among the early adopters eager to try them. Guided by Village-Based Advisor (VBA) Jessica. she embraced the training and applied the new techniques in her kitchen garden. With careful attention to soil management, spacing and organic pest control .Rosemary transformed her small backyard into a productive green oasis.
Today, her kitchen garden is full of healthy, leafy kales, alongside other vegetables that support her family’s nutrition. She uses mulching and composting to retain soil moisture and fertility, ensuring year-round harvests even in dry conditions. Rosemary’s success shows that with the right knowledge and commitment, small spaces can yield big results.
Beyond her vegetable garden, Rosemary has also maintained impressive care for her banana plantation, which continues to flourish. She has managed to scale up her efforts, expanding her production and inspiring other farmers in Sibumba to adopt similar practices. Her farm now serves as a learning site for other community members who visit to see her progress and learn how to replicate her success.
During a recent follow-up visit, FIPS field officers were pleased to witness how well Rosemary has implemented the technologies and practices shared through her local VBA. Her garden stands out for its neat layout, soil health, and diversity of crops. Regular follow-ups like these help monitor farmer progress and strengthen community learning through peer-to-peer exchange.
The benefits of Rosemary’s kitchen garden go far beyond production. Her family now enjoys fresh, nutritious meals every day, and she spends less on buying food. By selling surplus vegetables at the local market, she earns an additional income to support her household needs proving that kitchen gardening contributes directly to food security and women’s economic empowerment.
Through the continued support of FIPS Africa and the efforts of dedicated VBAs like Jessica, more farmers in rural Kenya are gaining the confidence and knowledge to adopt sustainable, climate-smart technologies. These practices are improving soil health, increasing yields, and empowering families to become self-reliant.Rosemary’s journey is a true kitchen garden success story , a story of hard work, innovation, and transformation. Her garden in Sibumba stands as living proof that when farmers are equipped with knowledge, mentorship, and a spirit of resilience, they can create lasting change in their homes and communities.