Lucy Kaari, Kenya

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Nominated by Nicholas M. Nkanda, Cereal Growers Association

Lucy_Kaari“As a direct result of climate positive practices, I have been able to increase my production at the farm and diversify into other income generation activities at the farm. The benefits of water harvesting and conservation associated with regenerative agriculture have enabled me harvest even during seasons of depressed rains.”

Lucy Kaari is a smallholder farmer in Tigania, Meru County in central Kenya, operating a six acre farm where she raises beans, sorghum and maize for both subsistence and commercial purposes as well as garden vegetables for her family’s needs. Lucy provides advisory services to other farmers, sharing her knowledge through grower groups and community engagements. She works directly with 176 local farmers, providing training on conservation best practices that deliver higher production per acre, improved resilience to moisture stress, reduced labor needs, and higher gross margins.

Lucy is a strong advocate for regenerative farming in her area. Working with the Cereal Growers Association, she has established 23 demonstration sites and trained 2,750 farmers over the past five years on practices that reduce pest and disease pressure while improving mineral utilization. Through field days, one-on-one meetings and digital tools, she has been able to reach over 5,000 farmers in Tigania and the larger Meru County area. She has also joined with the Cereal Growers Association, African Plant Nutrition Institute, and the Meru University of Science and Technology to implement agroforestry practices in farming systems. She estimates that 3,000 hectares of land have been positively improved by promoting the adoption of on-farm regenerative agriculture.
 

On her own farm, she has applied climate positive practices including crop rotation, low soil disturbance, and water conservation methods. She has observed improved yields and continued reduction in fertilizer needs, as confirmed by soil tests.
 

Climate Field View - Lucy Kaari
Climate Field View - Lucy Kaari

Lucy is a strong advocate for regenerative farming in her area. Working with the Cereal Growers Association, she has established 23 demonstration sites and trained 2,750 farmers over the past five years on practices that reduce pest and disease pressure while improving mineral utilization. Through field days, one-on-one meetings and digital tools, she has been able to reach over 5,000 farmers in Tigania and the larger Meru County area. She has also joined with the Cereal Growers Association, African Plant Nutrition Institute, and the Meru University of Science and Technology to implement agroforestry practices in farming systems. She estimates that 3,000 hectares of land have been positively improved by promoting the adoption of on-farm regenerative agriculture.
 

On her own farm, she has applied climate positive practices including crop rotation, low soil disturbance, and water conservation methods. She has observed improved yields and continued reduction in fertilizer needs, as confirmed by soil tests.