Green Action Week Campaigns in Kenya
Summary
Green Action Week Campaigns is a global initiative to promote sustainable consumption. Each year the campaign picks a joint theme, which is promoted in all the participating countries during the World Food Day period of September and October, and is climaxed during the World Food Day on 16th October each year. The campaigns were started in Sweden and are currently coordinated by SSNC and Conumer International. The campaign has 53 participating CSOs in 29 countries from Asia, Africa, Europe and America. In Kenya, PELUM Kenya and the Kenya Consumer Organization have been participating in the campaign since 2013. “Organic food and farming for all” has been the campaign focus for the Green Action Week 2013-2017. PELUM Kenya has implemented the campaigns in Nakuru County, Machakos County and Busia County. The key activities have been Food Fairs, farmer exhibitions and peaceful demontrations on promoting organic farming and food for all.
Classifications
Region
Scale of implementation
Ecosystem
Theme
Challenges
Sustainable development goals
Aichi targets
Challenges
Among the consumer community, the demand for ecologically produced products has continued to grow in Kenya, especially in the major cities. Consumer survey conducted by KOAN and Organic Denmark in 2014 indicated that there are close to 300,000 organic consumers, who are ready and willing to buy organic fruits and vegetables. The number of certified organic farmers to supply domestic market has not grown in tandem with the increased demand. A baseline survey conducted by IFOAM in 2015 indicated that the expansion of organic businesses is currently hampered by lack of organic products.
Though there is a clear demand for organic products from the trading community and outlets, the consistency of supplying organic products especially from smallholder farmers hinders the flow of products to the market.
There is also lack of consumer awareness and among the general population on the benefits of consuming organic foods, which is limiting the preference for organic produce among consumers.
Beneficiaries
- Small Scale Farmers
- Schools and Colleges
- Consumers
- Government Institutions (both local and central)
- PELUM Kenya Member Organizations
How do the building blocks interact?
Global theme for a common purpose is the basis for the GAW campaigns, which is downscaled to Kenya with a focus on the multistakeholder approach. The two building blocks relate to each other since having a global theme is part of enhancing partnerships and multistakeholder engagement. As a network, the third building block of strengthening zonal networking is part of multistakeholder engagement and is core for PELUM Kenya network.
Impacts
- Over the years there has been a steady increase in the number of consumers, producers and decision makers reached directly. For example between 2014 and 2017, the number of people reached directly grew from 1,300 to 5,000. 500,000 people have been indirectly reached yearly through local media, electronic and print media. They have been sensitized on the importance of farming and consuming organic foods hence increasing awareness on sustainable production and consumption.
- There has been great interest and coverage by the media on the 2013-2017 Green Action Week events. This has enhanced the level of achievement of the anticipated outputs on increased public awareness on organic food and farming.
- The campaign has been collaborating with the County Government Departments of Agriculture and Livestock during the implementation of the activities, hence providing an opportunity for further engagement and partnership towards campaigning on organic farming. In 2017, the County Executive Committee Member of Busia graced the World Food Day celebrations and confirmed their support as a County Government on organic food and farming.
- Zonal Networking among PELUM Kenya Member Organizations in the various regions has been enhanced due to joint planning and implementation of the campaign activities.
Pictures
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