“My home garden is a peace maker”: perceived impact pathways of a home gardening intervention in rural Kenya: the ALIMUS study

Abstract

Background: Home gardens are promoted as a strategy for climate change adaptation in SSA. Here, we determined the lived experiences, the perceived knowledge gain and practice change, and the suggested strategies for maintenance, spread and scaling among beneficiaries, implementers and stakeholders of a home gardening intervention in rural Kenya. Methods: For this explanatory qualitative study, we conducted two focus group discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders (n = 5) and implementers (n = 8), and 30 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with male (n = 5) and female (n = 25) beneficiaries living in Siaya county, from September to November 2023. We used purposive sampling and employed semi-structured interview guides. The data were translated into English, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive content analysis; we mapped the findings along the proposed impact pathways. Results: The participants articulated good understanding of the trainings and valued them as an occasion for knowledge exchange. The adoption of tailored garden structures, organic gardening, and food preservation created feelings of fulfillment, women empowerment, and family peace. Experienced challenges included water scarcity, ineffective pesticides, and long distances between the beneficiary households. Perceived benefits were increased income, cost savings, and increased dietary diversity. For maintenance, spread and scale, the participants suggested agri-business, local partnerships, and the integration of home gardens into the county’s political agenda. Conclusions: This project seems to have followed its planned pathways to improved child nutritional status. The organic gardening approach offers solutions in low-resource settings but creates challenges for maintenance, spread and scale of home gardens in Siaya county, Kenya.