In Mumias, Western Kenya, farmers are embracing sustainable agriculture with the help of video animations from Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO). This one-step educational system connects global experts with local farmers, equipping them with simple, practical techniques to enhance farm productivity.
Turning Waste into Organic Manure
One key practice featured in SAWBO’s animations is compost survival gardening, which has been successfully implemented by Matawa Demonstration Farm with support from Global Youth Groove (GYG), a SAWBO collaborator.
Situated on nine acres of land, just five kilometers from Mumias Town, the farm has transformed into a community learning hub for sustainable agriculture. Paul Lutomia, the farm supervisor, explains their approach:
“We collect all the waste from animals and plants, turn it into manure, and then use it for crop production.”
The farm is set to harvest eight tons of compost manure, using biodegradable farm waste and animal by-products. Livingstone Okhasia, another farm manager, credits SAWBO for helping them realize the abundance of usable resources already available on the farm.
Raised Planting Beds for Increased Yields
Another transformative technique featured in SAWBO’s videos is the raised bed planting system, which has significantly improved vegetable farming on the farm. Paul, a seasoned vegetable farmer with 35 years of experience, highlights the benefits:
“The raised bed system is the best approach for improving yields, especially for vegetables.”
The farm has 10 raised planting beds, each 2 x 9 meters, with the potential to produce 100 kilograms of vegetables per week. The technique offers multiple advantages:
✅ Better Water Retention – Raised beds prevent waterlogging and improve moisture distribution.
✅ Reduced Soil Compaction – Farmers avoid stepping on the planting areas, preserving soil structure.
✅ Efficient Space Utilization – The farm’s plots are even demarcated with arrowroot plants, which can yield up to KShs 250,000 (≈$2,500 USD) under ideal conditions.
Overcoming Climate Challenges with Smart Farming
Given Mumias’ high demand for vegetables, especially during the dry season (November to March), the farm has gone the extra mile by drilling a borehole for irrigation. This ensures year-round organic food production, even in adverse weather conditions.
SAWBO’s videos have also educated farmers on climate-smart agricultural techniques, helping them adapt to unpredictable weather patterns and maintain sustainable food production.
Mumias: A Farming Hub in Transition
Mumias, formerly known as Lureko, has historically been a center for trade and agriculture. However, its once-thriving sugar industry has collapsed, forcing many commercial sugarcane farmers to shift to subsistence farming.
According to the Agriculture and Food Authority’s 2022 report, sugarcane farming in Mumias dropped from 21,538 hectares in 2017 to just 274 hectares in 2021. Farmers now grow cereals, vegetables, and other food crops, but many lack knowledge of best agricultural practices, making it difficult to meet market demands.
SAWBO’s Impact on Rural Farming
Since SAWBO introduced its educational video content to Lureko, more farmers are applying sustainable farming techniques and seeing positive results.
SAWBO, based at Purdue University in the U.S., shares its videos through:
📲 Social media platforms (WhatsApp, YouTube, TV, etc.)
📺 Community workshops and events
📱 The SAWBO Android app
The organization encourages free sharing and use of its content, partnering with local organizations and individuals to reach even the most remote villages, where internet access is limited.
By providing accessible, practical, and science-backed solutions, SAWBO is empowering farmers in Mumias and beyond, helping them achieve better yields, improved soil health, and greater food security.
