Feedback to the Future

Nothing is more fulfilling than farmers sending us photos of how their syntropic farms are thriving against the backdrop of failed rains. A lot of small scale farmers still practising mono culture are staring at crop failure and a looming starvation. But farmers whom we’ve trained and are practising agroecology are not worried about starvation. We end the year on a high note because agroecology works and it is the future of food and nutrition security. Happy 2025.

Diversity is a key principle in agroecology. From crop diversity to livestock diversity to economic diversification. Nature is diverse, that’s why it thrives without anyone taking care of it. And agroecology borrows heavily from nature. Read our story on Saturday Nation about snail farming which forms part of our livestock and economic diversification. The link: https://lnkd.in/g489GGvx

Prioritise watching this film and share with your friends and family. And neighbours. https://lnkd.in/dXR9Nekq

Please find some time and listen to this Twitter space that was done two days ago. ‘The Defiance: Decolonising our food systems.’ Kenyan youth have taken ownership of the discussion on the state of food and food security in the country. Regenerative agriculture is featured in the discussion. Here is the link; https://lnkd.in/dQwQKV49

We would like to thank all our partners and farmers who have been with us throughout this journey of regenerative agriculture that culminated into a Kamba cultural festival. The event was organised by Feedback to the Future and farmers trained on regenerative agriculture. Biovision Foundation The DOEN Foundation Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Diabetes Awareness Trust - DAT

The diversity of the Africa continent is replicated in the diversity of our foods. Foods that are not only nutrient dense but also make the population healthy. It is this diverse food system that has sustained Africa’s ecosystem for many years. Sadly, a lot of traditional nutrient dense foods have become extinct because of monoculture. No wonder we’re currently struggling with malnutrition and effects of climate change having destroyed our ecosystem. Regenerative agriculture is one of the best ways to bring back this diverse food system and the ecosystem. The cultural festival was an opportunity to introduce people to Kamba traditional nutrient dense foods that have long been forgotten. Foods served were: 🌽 usuu wa ikie - fermented porridge made from maize flour. Maize is pounded to give floor then the flour is fermented for 4 days before its cooked 🌾 kinaa - millet flour mixed with sour milk. Millet is first roasted then ground into flour using stones. The flour is then mixed with fermented milk. This type of porridge was not only nutrient dense but also very filling and would be taken by people who went on hunting missions. Other traditional foods served during the event were ugali made from sorghum, githeri (a mixture of maize and peas). 🥬 vegetables were kunde(cowpeas leaves), mtoo(slenderleaf), saga(spider plant), pumpkin leaves, managu(black nightshade), terere(amaranth), kikoowe(African day flower), cassava leaves. 📹 Collines Comms #Kambaculturalfestival

Kamba traditional dances formed part of the entertainment. Traditionally, songs and dances were done for different purposes, events and ceremonies. There were dances for land preparation, rain, planting, harvesting, childbirth, initiation, marriage and death ceremonies. Songs and dances were a medium of communicating and passing our culture from one generation to the next. And the dances at the Kamba cultural festival reminded attendees just how rich and important our culture is. 📹 Collines Comms #Kambaculturalfestival

Our traditions are deeply embedded in us. And there was no way the cultural festival would kick off without Kamba prayers. Our elders started us off by acknowledging our ancestors. To do this, animal blood and kaluvu (Kamba traditional brew) was poured on the ground. The prayers were also an opportunity to summon our ancestors and ask for the rains which at the moment have disappointed. Once we got blessings from our elders, the festival officially kicked off. Photography courtesy of Collines Comms #Kambaculturalfestival

See you tomorrow at 9am.

We had the privilege of hosting Shabu Mwangi, one of the founders of Wajukuu Arts, an arts organisation in Viwandani. Shabu, an award winning artist has been following our work on regenerative agriculture, connected with it and wanted to learn more. Regenerative agriculture is a work of art that’s why we’re not surprised when artists are connecting with it. It is two days to our Kamba cultural festival. See you on the 6th.