BELEM, BRAZIL As the UN Climate Conference (COP30) opened in Belém, AGRA is calling for urgent, practical action to support Africa’s smallholder farmers, placing soils, youth, and food systems at the centre of climate solutions.
“Africa’s farmers are not waiting for the future; they are shaping it,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA. “A farmer-first climate breakthrough means turning promises into progress, converting finance into resilience, and transforming ambition into action where it matters most, on farms.”
AGRA urges governments and partners to translate pledges into policies and finance that boost resilience, create youth employment, and unlock growth across African food economies. Soil health, climate-resilient seeds, and inclusive value chains are highlighted as key drivers of adaptation.
“Resilience is built when the right policies, finance, and technical solutions meet at the farm level,” said Tilahun Amede, AGRA’s Director for Sustainable Farming, Climate Adaptation, and Resilience. “At COP30, together with partners, we aim to show how soil health, water management, inclusive finance, and stronger value chains can turn climate ambition into practical results for farmers.”
AGRA’s call aligns with the newly adopted Belém Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and Human-Centered Climate Action, emphasizing that climate strategies must prioritize those most exposed to climate shocks. According to the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2025, developing countries face a $284–339 billion shortfall annually in adaptation funding. AGRA urges that these funds be directed to farmers and rural enterprises.
While AGRA sets the continental vision, practical examples of farmer-led climate resilience already exist across Africa. One of these examples is the Grow Biointensive Agriculture Centre of Kenya (G-BIACK) in Thika, Kiambu County, where smallholder innovations meet practical sustainability.
Vermiculture: Small-Scale Solutions with Big Impact
Vermiculture, the practice of raising red worms (Eisenia foetida) to produce a reddish-brown solution for topsoil enrichment, is still unfamiliar to many Kenyan farmers. Yet, at G-BIACK, chemical fertilizers are completely absent, replaced by worms and compost that restore soil fertility and nurture ecosystems.
The farm is managed by Samuel and Peris Ndiritu, a husband-and-wife team who have built a model for sustainable agriculture over the past 16 years. They insist that chemicals would destroy the worms, insects, and other organisms essential for decomposing organic matter.
“We get vermicompost,” says Mr. Ndiritu. “If the worms are fed with material rich in phosphorus or nitrogen, the resultant compost will also be rich in these substances.”
On their farm, phosphorus-rich materials include pumpkin leaves, amaranth, Russian comfrey, banana peels, and leaves. Nitrogen is supplied by leguminous plants such as peas and groundnuts. “Leguminous plants such as peas and groundnuts are rich in nitrogen,” he adds.
For beginners, Mr. Ndiritu recommends starting in a simple bucket or shallow pit of about one-and-a-half feet. “Dry, shredded bedding with the worms is spread. Tap or rain water is sprinkled over it. The waste is spread out and covered with an inch of bedding to make the surface dark. The bedding is allowed to absorb as much water as possible to moisten it all.”
After three to four months, the compost is moved to a raised timber structure with a perforated base for aeration and drainage. “A roof is recommended for the structure. This would cut out direct sunlight that might scorch the worms. Side netting is also necessary to prevent birds from swooping on the matter and feeding on the worms,” Mr. Ndiritu explains.
The worms are watered twice a week, using piped or harvested rainwater. The resulting vermicompost is sometimes so concentrated that it must be diluted at a ratio of one part compost to five parts water before application. “If the solution is not as concentrated as desired, then it’s recycled instead of using fresh water,” he notes.
The Ndiritus acquired their first one-kilogram batch of red worms in 2009 from Real Integrated Pest Management System in Thika for Ksh 4,000. They spent an additional Ksh 4,000 constructing a six-by-four-foot vermiculture shed, elevated about three feet above the ground. Today, farmers can purchase red worms from G-BIACK at Ksh 2,000 per kilogram of compost.
Chemical Farming’s Hidden Toll: How Kenya’s Pesticide Practices Threaten Public Health
Beyond improving crop yields and restoring soil fertility, the Ndiritus’ approach to organic farming has important public health implications. Non-organic farming often relies heavily on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which studies have linked to increased risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to certain agricultural chemicals contributes to an estimated 20% of cancers in developing countries.
In Kenya, this risk is particularly pronounced. About 76% of the pesticide volume sold contains one or more highly hazardous active ingredients, and nearly half (44%) of these are substances banned in the European Union due to their unacceptable health and environmental risks.
Research in Kenya has detected pesticide residues on food: in one study, 46% of sampled items had chemical residues, and approximately 11% exceeded the EU’s maximum residue limits, raising serious concerns about chronic exposure and long-term health outcomes. Soil contamination assessments in towns such as Kapsabet, Nyeri, and Voi have revealed carcinogenic pesticides including DDT and lindane at levels posing serious risks to communities. Further, a 2025 study found links between pesticide exposure and rising incidences of cancers such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and breast cancer in high-use regions. Kenya’s National Cancer Control Strategy reports that cancer accounts for nearly 7% of national mortality, with a substantial portion potentially linked to environmental toxins. The Parliament’s Health Committee has also raised concerns about pesticide residues contributing to NCDs.
By adopting vermiculture and biointensive planting, smallholder farmers are not only safeguarding the environment but also reducing chemical exposure in the food chain, contributing to healthier communities. This preventative approach aligns with the goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which emphasizes access to interventions that reduce the burden of disease before it reaches the healthcare system.
Mary Kamande, 20, a student at the institute studying agroecology, states: “Growing up I knew that diseases like cancer are inherited but seeing and learning how farmers are using harmful pesticides and fertilizers I have learnt that we are what we eat. Organically grown foods are the way to go. That is why I am here to learn more.”
Mr. Ndiritu adds: “The use of harmful chemicals on farms is washed down into rivers and water systems, thus affecting our health. It costs more to treat these diseases than to prevent them.”
The Economics and Science of Soil Fertility
Dr. Peter Okoth, an international soil scientist in private practice, stresses the value of vermiculture for both the environment and farmers’ wallets.
“Mineral fertilizers are expensive. Urea costs between Ksh 1,800-2,200,” he says. Others, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers, “may cost up to 4,200 for a 50kg bag.”
He adds, “Earthworms are naturally present in the soil and during the rainy season, they can be dug out and one may begin rearing them if exposed to some little knowledge. The organic matter that is available on your farm is what you’d use.”
Farm workers at G-BIACK monitor the vermicomposting process and collect worms that are either too numerous or have died. “They are fed to chicken and other poultry in a different enclosure,” says Dr. Okoth.
“Organic farming at some stage becomes very expensive because it requires more material than mineral fertilizers, to reach the same level of fertilization,” he cautions. “One may get 70-80 percent nitrogen, for example. The balance will need to be sourced from elsewhere.”
Dr. Okoth adds, “Integrated soil fertility management recommends a combination of biological and chemical fertilization as the optimum way of managing soil fertility.”
Chemical Farming’s Hidden Toll: How Kenya’s Pesticide Practices Threaten Public Health”
Beyond improving crop yields and restoring soil fertility, the Ndiritus’ approach to organic farming has important public health implications. Non-organic farming often relies heavily on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which studies have linked to increased risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to certain agricultural chemicals contributes to an estimated 20% of cancers in developing countries.
In Kenya, this risk is heightened: about 76% of the pesticide volume sold contains one or more active ingredients classified as highly hazardous. Alarmingly, nearly half (44%) of these chemicals are substances already banned in the European Union due to their unacceptable health and environmental risks. Research in Kenya has also detected pesticide residues on food: in one study, 46% of sampled food items had chemical residues, and about 11% exceeded the EU’s maximum residue limits raising serious concerns about chronic exposure and long-term health outcomes.
By adopting vermiculture and biointensive planting, smallholder farmers are not only safeguarding the environment but also reducing chemical exposure in the food chain, contributing to healthier communities. This preventative approach aligns with goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which emphasizes access to interventions that reduce the burden of disease before it reaches the healthcare system.
Mary Kamande, 20, a student at the institute studying agroecology, states: “Growing up I knew that diseases like cancer are inherited but seeing and learning how farmers are using harmful pesticides and fertilizers I have learnt that we are what we eat. Organically grown foods are the way to go. That is why I am here to learn more.”
Mr. Ndiritu also adds that the use of harmful chemicals on farms is washed down into rivers and water systems, thus affecting our health. “It costs more to treat these diseases than to prevent them.”
Training the Next Generation of Farmers
G-BIACK also serves as a training hub, teaching farmers from across Kenya how to implement biointensive agriculture techniques. About 40 farmers per month attend short courses ranging from one day to six months, covering vermicomposting, seed production and saving, and food and nutrition practices.
“Farmers ought to know how to use the soil for maximum productivity. Mining from the soil demands that depleted nutrients be replenished,” says Dr. Okoth. “Embracing soil fertility techniques, whether biological or chemical, is something that such a country cannot sidestep. For us to be able to feed this country and Africa in general, people must know what it takes to feed a crop.”
Trainees like Namubiru Allen from Kakamega and Anthony Mbuthia from Juja are excited to implement their knowledge. “I’ve been misusing my land,” Namubiru admits. “I am determined to maximize on my small farm’s potential.” Anthony adds, “I intend to begin with a vegetable garden on a large scale. I hope it’ll become a model one.”
Making Every Inch Count
Since its establishment in 2009 with an initial investment of Ksh 1.2 million, G-BIACK has become a model for sustainable agriculture. Both Ndiritus hold Diplomas in Sustainable Agriculture from Mannerhouse Agricultural Centre in Kitale. Mr. Ndiritu also has a B.A. in Community Development from the University of South Africa and a Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture from Ecology Action in the U.S., while Mrs. Ndiritu has a Diploma in Community Health from Premese Africa, Kitale.
Every inch of the farm is utilized efficiently. Vegetables such as onions, lettuce, kales, garlic, and spinach grow in recycled soda bottles. “Instead of burning or throwing them away, we recycle them and grow vegetables in them,” Mr. Ndiritu says. “So long as the soil is fertile.”
Banana trunks are also repurposed as planting containers, retaining water for up to six months. “The stem would rot away and be taken for composting,” he adds.
The farm produces multiple types of compost, including worm compost, cold compost, and hot or cured compost. Crops from nearby farms are not introduced; only carbon crops grown on-site are used, topped with a layer of topsoil to introduce essential microorganisms.
Crops are planted densely, emulating natural forests. “In a natural forest, you won’t find trees growing in straight lines,” says Mrs. Ndiritu. This technique minimizes sunlight exposure, retains soil moisture, and allows multiple crops to grow together, such as arrowroots and black nightshade. “The arrowroots act like an umbrella for the young seedlings,” she explains.
Local Solutions Align with Global Goals
While COP30 sets global climate agendas, farms like G-BIACK provide a tangible example of how farmer-first strategies work in practice. By focusing on soil health, sustainable techniques, and training the next generation, the Ndiritus show that Africa’s farmers can lead the way in climate-smart agriculture.
Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, reinforces this connection: “Africa’s farmers are already innovating under pressure. What they need now is investment, policy backing, and technical support to turn ingenuity into widespread impact.”
Dr. Okoth adds, “Smallholder farmers need knowledge as much as inputs. They need to understand what their soils require and how to combine organic and mineral approaches effectively.”
By linking local innovation to continental priorities, the Ndiritus’ farm serves as a microcosm of Africa’s potential to transform agriculture and food security under climate pressure. Practical techniques like vermiculture and biointensive planting demonstrate that food security, ecological restoration, and economic resilience are achievable, even under the pressures of climate change.
