Enterprising women farmers in Kenya are using social media to sell surplus produce that they grow in backyard gardens set up with support from Self Help Africa.

The women, who are members of women’s enterprise groups in Nakuru County, received training in organic horticulture before establishing vegetable gardens where they are growing produce including kale, potato, carrot, onions, pumpkin and tomatoes.

The pilot project, supported by the German Government’s agency for international cooperation, GIZ, has created 40 separate women’s groups over the past year. The project aims to support enterprise and innovation, and improve local access to nutritious food.

Chair of Teta Womens Group, Patricia Koech, says that many of her members are growing vegetables commercially, and are using the income that they earn to pay school fees and other household bills.

Vicky Rono is one of those who has been posting information about her produce on Facebook, and says that she’s now using the online platform to sell her surplus produce.

Tabitha Mwangi says that she takes photos of the crop’s that she has ready to harvest, and posts information and prices online to find a market. And Caroline Chepng’etich says that she sold virtually all of her oranges in her small orange grove by posting information on social media.

Self Help Africa has provided group members with training in the production and use of compost and organic fertiliser, on horticultural production, and has trained the women in how they can market and sell their surplus goods, including via social media.