A new farming approach based on data-driven insights is offering promising solutions to the challenges of food security, climate resilience, and nutrition in Ahero.
Tried and tested in a farming community in Kisumu County, Kenya, the method known as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) involves combining rice, fish, and indigenous vegetable farming on the same piece of land.
This initiative was led by ICON Data and Learning Labs (IDL) in partnership with the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) and TINADA Youth Action Africa (TYAA).
Garnering support from the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) through the Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN). It involved conducting a study involving 510 households in Ahero to assess the potential of IMTA as a sustainable farming method.
The study used household interviews, field observations, and climate modeling to understand how IMTA could help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns while improving household nutrition.
Zeddy Misiga, Founder of ICON Data and Learning Labs, specified that Ahero has suffered from both droughts and floods for years making it evident that traditional rice farming alone is not enough to support the community.
He further highlighted how the data shows that when through combination of climate, health, and food systems information, there lies a possibilty of designing better interventions.
One of the key findings was that while 57% of farmers believe IMTA is beneficial, only 19% are currently practicing it. Revealing a barrier faced by many farmers who lacked the knowledge and resources needed to adopt the method. Despite this, 79% were already practicing some form of mixed farming, showing that many were open to diversification.
The study also indicated a serious nutrition crisis, with about 97% of households found to have poor dietary diversity, consuming fewer than three food groups daily. Ironically enough, it showed that only 2% of households eat fish daily, while 66% consume fish once a week, indicating a missed opportunity to improve diets using locally farmed fish.
“We wanted to understand why adoption of IMTA was low even though farmers believed in it,” said Andrew Karanja, a data fellow from CAN working with IDL. “The barriers are clear: lack of practical knowledge, limited access to inputs like fingerlings, and weak infrastructure.”
Based on the study, 60% of households considered themselves resilient to climate shocks. However, this perceived resilience did not match their dietary outcomes, pointing to a gap between coping with climate events and achieving good nutrition.
The research also took an in-depth look at gender disparities when it comes to farming. A shocking revelation was that women led 58% of the households surveyed. These households reported slightly lower dietary diversity and climate resilience compared to male-headed ones.
Nonetheless, women showed greater willingness to adopt IMTA, especially if provided with the necessary training and support. The main barriers to adopting IMTA included:
- Limited access to water (reported by 55% of respondents)
- Concerns about contamination from herbicides and pesticides (41–45%)
- Shortage of fish fingerlings (34%)
- Policy and regulatory challenges (26%)
Based on the data, the project recommended a three-phase strategy to increase adoption: education, practical support, and confidence-building. Key interventions suggested include:
- Setting up demonstration farms to teach IMTA techniques
- Expanding water infrastructure
- Improving the supply of fish fingerlings and other farming inputs
- Designing training programs tailored for women and youth
“This approach allows governments and partners to target their support where it will have the most impact,” said Andrew. “It shows how evidence can guide real action.”
While the project was based in Ahero, its potential extends beyond the region. The model provides a scalable solution for other communities facing similar challenges around the world.
“This is not just about farming,” added Zeddy. “It is about improving lives with the help of data, giving communities the tools they need to thrive despite climate change.”
