Shamba Shape Up.... or, Changing Farms?

A fan of home make-over shows?  Interested in agriculture? Look no further, we have just the TV fix for you in the form of Shamba Shape Up....

The Swahili word for small farm, shambas are the backbone of African rural  life. Agriculture is the main income source for over 75% of Kenyans, but only one half of all produce in Kenya is destined for market.  The rest is grown for family use (subsistence farming) - so improving yields can not only increase income but can also better a family's health through nutrition.

According to Mediae, a media organisation for development:

Shamba Shape Up is designed to deliver effective agricultural and livelihoods Research-Into-Use to benefit both farmers and international research organizations concerned with East Africa.

In non-jargon, the presenters and guest experts tackle the specific challenges faced by 13 different farms in Kenya and Tanzania, using the latest ideas and technologies to improve the farmers' livelihoods.  And as a broadcast, it means that it's not only these farmers, their families and neighbours who can benefit, but all 4 million Kenyan households who tune in to see the low or no-cost solutions demonstrated.

At Quest4Change, we were really impressed with Mediae's approach, as we're firm believers in the importance of addressing specific local causes of a problem and the value of innovation.  Just check out project partners Livingstone Tanzania Trust's work with keyhole gardens, electricity-free fridge pots, and most of all with their Training Farm, run by Babati's own resident expert Mr Marceli.

And in Kenya itself, we work with the innovative charity Excellent, who work to improve farmers' livelihoods through improving the local environment: tree-planting, nitrogen-fixing planting, and of course sand dams to increase the water table!

We're not quite up to making our own TV show yet though...