CategoriesBlogsJugaad: the art of figuring it out In Hindi, there is a word that has no exact equivalent in English, ‘Jugaad’. Roughly, it describes a mindset of applying hack solutions when solving problems using scarce resources, like a farmer building a makeshift irrigation pump from discarded bicycle parts. Simply put, it is “the art of […]
CategoriesBlogsHow listening guides our work In Wamunyu, Machakos, the rains are increasingly failing, with major consequences for smallholder farmers. A poor season means inadequate food for the household, inadequate school fees to educate children, and no saved income for many farmers. This is the reality that Itanya Africa Group has been working in since we […]
CategoriesBlogsWe are delighted to welcome two new funding partners: the Munich Re Foundation and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), whose support strengthens our mission to dignify the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Machakos, Kenya, and allows us to deepen the work we began in 2024 through the Resilience through Regeneration […]
CategoriesBlogsFor years, the conversation around getting young people into agriculture has been loud, from flashy competitions to “agri-bootcamps” and catchy slogans. Yet, the uptake remains slow. Why? Because young people are not naïve; they see and hear the horror stories. Failed crops due to drought, low market prices, middlemen taking the lion’s share, and an […]
CategoriesBlogsEarlier this month, our team had the privilege of participating in the Climate Reality Leadership Training led by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. His two-hour masterclass was sobering, data-driven, and most of all, urgent. We didn’t just walk away with knowledge. We walked away with renewed conviction. 1–2 billion people will be displaced by 2050 due […]
CategoriesBlogsClimate change and variability are disrupting agricultural production and food security in Kenya. Unpredictable rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts reduce crop yields and increase post-harvest losses and crop failure. According to WFP (2023), post-harvest losses account for 40% of harvested crops, leading to financial losses of up to USD 500 million. These challenges and negative […]
CategoriesBlogsWe are thrilled to share insights from our recent participation in the CGIAR Gender Platform Conference, where we presented our abstract on the pivotal role of gender in building resilience. At the core of our work lies the mission to empower female smallholder farmers, equipping them to withstand climatic and financial shocks effectively. Our presentation […]
CategoriesBlogsAt Itanya Africa Group, we embarked on a mission to address the longstanding issue of dependence on rain-fed agriculture in Machakos County. Our journey has been a testament to the resilience and adaptability required in project management as we encountered obstacles and made crucial pivots along the way. Initially, our plan involved using excavators to […]
CategoriesBlogsIn the lush yet often unforgiving terrains of Wamunyu Location, Machakos County, a story unfolds — a story of resilience, silent strength, and of an unyielding bond with the land. Here, female small-holder farmers, with hands that have caressed the soil through seasons of abundance and scarcity alike, weave a narrative that is both inspiring […]
CategoriesBlogsIn the waning days of 2022, a conversation among a few passionate individuals about transforming the lives of smallholder farmers in lower eastern Kenya blossomed into the formidable force known today as Itanya Africa Group. The journey from an informal dialogue to the establishment of a non-profit organization in February 2023 has been nothing short […]
