We are passionate about sustainable agriculture. In our foundational project in 2019, we chose to empower farmers experiencing climate change-related challenges. We narrowed our focus to urban and peri-urban poultry farmers. This population is largely composed of women and the youth. After identifying poultry farmers in Utawala and Kiambu using snowball sampling, we conducted a small survey to identify the challenges preventing this population from applying sustainable practices to achieve long-term economic growth and protect natural resources. Across both areas, we found that poultry farmers struggle with high chicken feed prices, waste management challenges, smaller pieces of land, supply gluts, information gaps, poor record-keeping, and bio-security challenges.
Sunkings Consultants developed a strategy that would balance the environmental, regulatory, and economic demands of this sector. This strategy focused on several themes. We chose workshops because of their ability to transfer knowledge to farmers and promote direct engagement, hands-on learning, and peer exchange. We initially implemented our workshops with the Poultry Farming Group in Utawala before extending the program to farmers in Kiambu.
The first workshop theme entailed linking poultry farmers with qualified veterinarians. The veterinary officers educated our farmers on responsible antibiotic use and common poultry diseases. We also encouraged farmers to create direct links with these veterinarians, allowing them to seek advice and treatment from these parties afterwards.
The second theme was managing poultry farming waste in urban and peri urban settings. Sunkings Consultants focused on how farmers could create value from this waste. We, therefore, taught the attendees how to build small biogas units to supply fuel and compost the waste to get organic fertilizer. The training also focused on the use of ventilation and effective Microorganisms (EMs) to control odors and flies. EMs are vital for farmers living in densely populated areas or small properties.
The third theme focused on increasing water and energy efficiency to reduce resource wastage, lower operational costs, and address challenges related to unreliable supply systems. We emphasized affordable solutions that could be accessed by our target demographic. To promote water efficiency, for instance, we taught farmers how to install nipple drinkers. We also shed light on using simple gutter systems to harvest rainwater. To promote energy efficiency, on the other hand, we introduced farmers to simple solar lighting and heating solutions that can provide reliable lighting and heating power for chicks and layers.
The fourth theme focused on a very pertinent issue to farmers: reducing the cost of feed without sabotaging quality. Sunkings Consultants educated farmers on how they could reduce dependency on commercial feeds. We taught farmers how to make cheaper feed onsite. Farmers were furnished with standard/evidence-based formulations for on-site feed, adjusting for age and breed. We also trained farmers on locally available supplements, such as azolla, hydroponic fodder, cooked chicken leftovers, and the black soldier fly. Our consultants also covered feeding schedules to improve conversion efficiency and minimize waste.
Our fifth workshop theme tackled market linkages. Our survey had highlighted that most poultry farmers experience challenges accessing the market. This is especially the case during supply gluts, when farmers are forced to keep their products longer despite losses or sell them below the cost of production. Sunkings Consultants linked farmers to commercial buyers with cold storage and stable demand, such as restaurant suppliers, factories, and egg distributors.
The sixth theme equipped farmers with fundamental financial literacy skills. Our survey noted a record keeping gap, with most farmers not accurately tracking expenses, production, and sales. We introduced farmers to basic record-keeping practices, emphasizing the importance of these records in tracking and improving performance and building credibility. We also trained farmers on simple free digital applications for record keeping like 123POULTRY and Farm App Lite. These applications record and track pertinent information like feed intake, vaccination, egg production, mortality, expenses, and revenue. Our workshop also taught farmers about the benefits of joining chamas to pool savings and access table banking opportunities. These groups increase the bargaining power of farmers and enhance their access to inputs.
The seventh workshop theme addressed bird welfare. Healthy and comfortable birds are more productive. We therefore taught farmers about the importance of optimizing spacing, ventilation, and temperature control to reduce stress.
Lastly, our work with poultry farmers in Utawala and Kiambu exemplifies how we can strengthen local food systems, promote sustainable farming practices, and enhance the resilience of smallholder producers to climate and market shock. By combining technical training, group discussions, and hands-on demonstrations, we helped local farmers reduce production costs, improve poultry health, and adopt climate-smart practices that protect the environment. Farmers reported better productivity, fewer losses, and stronger connections with markets and veterinary support networks. Building on this success, Sunkings Consultants plans to expand the initiative to other regions and sectors. We also plan to build on farmer-to-farmer mentorship models and digital innovations that optimize market access, monitor resource use, enhance traceability, and facilitate farmer training.