Case Study Osiligi & Haller, a collaborative approach to Farmer Training in Kenya

In December 2023, the Haller team in Kenya conducted farmer training sessions in partnership with the Osiligi Charity Projects.

Osiligi is the Maasai word for hope, and the charity operates to improve the livelihoods of local communities through projects in education, healthcare, sanitation, and agriculture. By repairing over 2000 broken hand-pumps across Kenya, the charity has now provided more than half a million people with clean drinking water.

In 2023, Osiligi embarked on a new project to provide community schools with the means to grow their own food and become self-sufficient, including providing a water supply, fenced agricultural plots, irrigation, and agricultural training. 

The first schools involved in the project were the Kachar primary and secondary schools in the Homa Bay area. Respectively, they have fenced off 3,000 and 2,000m2 plots equipped with drip irrigation lines. The aim is for other schools in the area to become involved in the program this year. 

Haller’s role came in the farmer training part of the project. Our team in Kenya regularly hosts local community training days on a wide variety of sustainable techniques, and we were delighted to host 4 teachers, 2 farm supervisors, and 3 Osiligi engineers involved in the project, as well as 6 pupils from the Karcher primary and secondary schools. 

The week was the first of several, intended to be an introduction to the key principles of sustainable farming, equipping those in attendance with actionable information to take back to their fellow volunteers and pupils. 

Across 4 days, the Haller Kenya team took the Osiligi group through the principles of holistic farming, and its many applications. The initial sessions looked at the importance of regenerative farming and restoring soil health. The team led theory sessions on compost, its impact on soil quality, water management and crop production, and finished with a compost-making practical. 

Other sessions looked at fish farming, honey processing, organic pesticide production, and the establishment of a vegetable seedling nursery and herb garden. The team also introduced those in attendance to the Haller Farmers app, which contains detailed and accessible instructions for hundreds of sustainable agricultural techniques. In addition to the educational sessions, the group visited the Nguuni Education Centre, watched a play in the auditorium and saw wildlife in the butterfly house and wildlife sanctuary. 

We’re excited to see the techniques come to life in the Osiligi communities and look forward to building on the partnership in 2024. 

Haller sees this as an exciting testament to the power of scaling and disseminating knowledge in regenerative farming across Kenya and beyond.  

“The program was indeed comprehensive, covering a wide range of topics beneficial for all participants. The agricultural training was excellent, encompassing theoretical concepts, practical aspects, and an innovative online component through the Haller mobile app. Organic farming, with a focus on soil fertility and composting, was a major highlight. Participants had the opportunity to apply their knowledge by constructing a compost pit/heap and engaging in hands-on activities. The training also delved into critical areas such as soil and water management. We learned practical techniques, including constructing A-frames and digging terraces guided by contour guides from the A-frame. The session on pests and diseases was equally insightful, featuring a practical demonstration of making natural pesticides using locally available materials, among other valuable insights.” - Alex, Osiligi Engineer.