Urban Agriculture
Hydroponics and Circular Gardening in Kibera
Nubian women in Kibera, Kenya’s largest informal settlement, are utilizing hydroponics and circular gardening to cultivate traditional vegetables in small spaces. This initiative, known as the Mazingira Women Initiative, was established in 2019 to support Nubian women in preserving cultural heritage while developing climate-resilient food systems.
Community and Environmental Efforts
The initiative comprises fifty members who also engage in environmental cleaning and recycling food waste into organic fertilizer. Despite historical marginalization, these women are reconnecting with their cultural roots and land through urban farming.
There is a significant demand for traditional vegetables such as amaranth (nyagwa), okra (bamia), and jute mallow (mulkia), which are integral to Nubian cuisine. Notable dishes include mafrouk mulliavma bamia stew and gurusa, a fermented pancake paired with vegetable stews.
Challenges in Urban Farming
Young farmers, like Asia Abdalla, are learning to grow these indigenous vegetables, essential for their community’s culture. Nonetheless, urban farming in informal settlements presents challenges, including land tenure issues, as explained by Malasen Hamida, founder of the Mazingira Women Initiative.
Stephen Otieno, an urban planner and food systems strategist, highlights the necessity for urban farmers to adapt to climate change. Investing in indigenous crops can enhance resilience against climate variability.
