Blog Towards agroecological school plates: Connecting producers with reliable markets 

Produce such as beans, leafy vegetables, carrots and fruits offer practical starting points. With clear purchasing arrangements, producers can conveniently plan planting, harvesting and deliveries in alignment to schools’ needs.

This potential has been revealed by findings from a recent survey by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (The Alliance), in 25 schools across Kiambu and Kajiado counties. According to the findings, feeding programmes are well established, with most schools reporting that they fed all learners across the education levels, including pre-primary, junior primary and senior primary. Rice served with beans or green grams and vegetables such as cabbages, kales and spinach, was reported by 60 per cent of schools, while 24 per cent served githeri (a mixture of maize and beans) and 20 per cent served ugali (maize meal) with vegetables (cabbages, kales, spinach) or pulses (beans, green grams and lentils). The gaps in fruit provision and vegetable diversity present an opportunity for local agroecological producers to supply a wider range of these nutritious foods.

Beyond schools, deliberations revolved around growing agroecological foods that potentially meet the rising consumer demands. Growing interest in safe and healthier diets is creating opportunities for agroecologically produced foods. However, demand has yet to translate into strong and dependable markets for farmers. Findings presented indicated that awareness of agroecology stood at 31 per cent in Kajiado and 9 per cent in Nairobi, even though more than 83 per cent of surveyed consumers expressed a preference for food produced without synthetic inputs. This gap points to the need for clearer consumer information, credible certification, traceability and innovations to better supply and market agroecological commodities and help buyers identify and trust agroecological products.

Farmers in Kiambu and Kajiado already employ agroecological practices, including composting, agroforestry, mulching, crop rotation and integrated pest management. Intercropping, for instance, was reported among 92 per cent of surveyed farmers in Kiambu and 78 per cent in Kajiado. However, farmers largely sell individually, with limited aggregation. At the market, weak product differentiation and few dedicated market spaces for agroecological commodities remain some of the major bottlenecks to efficient supply and demand. PGS can help build buyer confidence, while collective marketing can improve farmers’ ability to supply consistent quantities and reduce postharvest losses.

Affordability is central to expanding consumption. Higher-income consumers may be willing to pay a premium, particularly for certified organic foods sold in supermarkets and niche urban markets. On the other hand, mainstream markets that serve a bigger proportion of the urban population often offer little or no price differentiation. Expanding sales therefore requires reliable availability, competitive pricing and clear information about production practices. Opportunities extend beyond food to organic fertilisers, biopesticides and other biological inputs, alongside herbs and spices such as rosemary, ginger, turmeric and basil. School gardens and composting could further complement food procurement arrangements by linking meals with learning, food waste management and nutrient recycling.

“Consumer interest alone will not build a dependable market for agroecological foods. Farmers need reliable buyers, and buyers need affordable products, consistent supply and credible information about how food is produced,”- Dr. Rosina Wanyama, Scientist, The Alliance.

Turning these opportunities into regular purchases requires practical support: schools need to understand the potential of agroecological foods; buyers need effective ways to connect with local producers; and farmers need the capacity to supply diverse products in the quantities, quality and prices required by different markets. Sustained partnerships among farmers, vendors, schools and supporting organisations can help make agroecological production more economically rewarding while improving learners’s access to nutritious meals.