"My home garden is a peace maker": perceived impact pathways of a home gardening intervention in rural Kenya: the ALIMUS study

Urban Farm DB summary

A qualitative study of a home gardening intervention in Siaya county, rural Kenya, undertaken because home gardens are promoted as a climate change adaptation strategy in sub-Saharan Africa but the lived experience of them is less documented. Between September and November 2023 the authors ran two focus group discussions with stakeholders (n = 5) and implementers (n = 8), plus 30 in-depth interviews with male (n = 5) and female (n = 25) beneficiaries, using purposive sampling and semi-structured guides; data were transcribed verbatim and analysed by inductive content analysis mapped along the proposed impact pathways. Participants articulated a good understanding of the trainings and valued them as an occasion for knowledge exchange, and the adoption of tailored garden structures, organic gardening and food preservation created feelings of fulfilment, women's empowerment and family peace. Challenges included water scarcity, ineffective pesticides and long distances between beneficiary households. Perceived benefits were increased income, cost savings and increased dietary diversity.