Agriculture

Zuri Life has partnered with women on Mfangano Island to install 16 vertical gardens that support female-led agriculture and food security. Because much of the land is rocky and uneven, and fencing materials are expensive, traditional in-ground farming is difficult and vulnerable to livestock. Vertical gardens offer a practical solution: they use compact structures that fit into small spaces, require minimal fencing, and allow plants to grow in healthy soil rather than directly on the rocks.

Each woman who received a garden also participated in a hands-on lesson about vertical gardening techniques, basic soil and fertilizer management, and how to care for her seedlings. These gardens are more than just structures, they are tools for resilience. As the plants grow, they will help families access fresh vegetables, diversify their diets, and reduce reliance on expensive or unreliable food sources, empowering women to nourish their households and communities.

Zuri Life has built three community fish drying tables to support safer, healthier fish processing on Mfangano Island. Fish drying is an important source of income for many women on the island, and these raised tables make the work quicker, cleaner, and easier.

By drying fish off the ground, the tables reduce contamination from animal waste, helping prevent illness and improving food safety. They also support public health in another key way: many households have used mosquito nets to dry fish when there is no alternative. With dedicated drying tables available, more mosquito nets can stay in homes for their intended purpose, helping families reduce malaria risk.

Finally, these tables help fish dry more consistently, which can improve quality and increase the value of the fish at market.

One of our first challenges on Mfangano was the high cost of fencing. Without strong fences, goats and other livestock easily enter gardens and destroy crops, but building secure perimeters around large plots of land is extremely expensive. We were able to fully fence two women’s farms, creating safe spaces where they can stay at home with their children while tending gardens that directly support their families. These protected farms allow them to grow fresh vegetables, improve their families’ nutrition, and reduce their overall cost of living, significantly improving their day-to-day quality of life.

However, the financial barrier of fencing larger areas pushed us to think creatively, and this is what led to the development of our vertical garden initiative. By growing food in compact, vertical systems that require only a small fenced footprint, we can protect the plants from animals while using fewer materials and less land. What began as a struggle with fence costs ultimately inspired a more sustainable, scalable solution to support many more women in growing food at home.

To strengthen our community gardens at the Sagrema Foundation, we installed a low-cost irrigation system that reduces the physical burden of hand-watering and supports more reliable harvests. Before this, the two women who led the agricultural work spent countless hours carrying water and manually irrigating each bed, time and energy that could have gone toward training others, caring for their families, or expanding the garden. With simple piping and hose connections now in place, water can be delivered directly to the plants, making it easier to keep the gardens thriving even during dry spells.

Irrigation is one of the most important foundations of successful agriculture. Consistent access to water helps seedlings establish stronger roots, reduces crop losses during periods of low rainfall, and improves both the quality and quantity of food grown. By investing in an affordable, efficient irrigation system, we are not only supporting healthier crops but also honoring the work of the women who keep these gardens alive. This infrastructure allows them to focus more on teaching, planning, and nurturing the land—ultimately growing more food for the community while protecting their own health and well-being.