Innovation-Enabled Agriculture

Halima Ali, a dedicated participant in BOMA’s Lishe Bora Program and the chair lady of the Olla Odha saving group is beaming with a sense of accomplishment and pride. Her business group recently reached a significant milestone by installing two vertical vegetable bags, revolutionizing their community’s approach to food and nutrition. Halima, along with her partners Mrs. Habiba Shane and Habiba Galgalo, embarked on this venture after receiving comprehensive training from the mentor and agriculture officer from the Ministry of Agriculture. Their unwavering enthusiasm and commitment led them to create a thriving kitchen garden within four weeks. The ladies chose to plant kale, a nutrient-rich vegetable, by purchasing established seedlings designed explicitly for their vertical bags. Halima reflects on this journey: “We, the TAKUMA business group, planted a bag of kale. We decided to buy established kale seedlings for our vertical bag. The kale grew fast, and we have been harvesting for our consumption.” This initiative has provided fresh produce for their families and saves them money that would have been spent purchasing produce from the market.

“We have learned a lot about nutrition and the categories of food we should consume. Understanding how the lack of proper nutrition can negatively impact our lives has been invaluable.”

Stirred by their initial success, Habiba, the eldest member of the team, shares their ambitious vision for the future. “We are planning to purchase and establish ten more vertical bags. This time, we aim to turn it into a business activity,” she explains. By expanding their garden, they intend to ensure a consistent supply of nutrient-rich food for their families and generate income through the sale of kale and spinach. This entrepreneurial spirit is paving the way for the community’s more sustainable and prosperous future.

The success of Halima and her partners is also deeply rooted in their participation in the Lishe Bora program. This program has equipped them with knowledge about nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet. Halima emphasizes the impact of this education, saying, “We are glad to be enrolled in the Lishe Bora program. We have learned a lot about nutrition and the categories of food we should consume. Understanding how the lack of proper nutrition can negatively impact our lives has been invaluable.”

The story of Halima Ali and the Olla Odha saving group is a testament to the power of education, community effort, and entrepreneurial spirit. Their journey from training to successfully implementing a kitchen garden illustrates the positive impact such initiatives can have on individual lives and the broader community. The group’s dedication to expanding their project and sharing their knowledge signifies a promising future where more families can enjoy the benefits of home-grown, nutritious food.

Halima and her team cultivate vegetables and sow the seeds of change, growth, and empowerment in their community. Their story inspires and models others, showcasing how small initiatives can lead to substantial, life-changing outcomes.