Organic Resource Management by the Rainbow Women Group

How can a rural community develop capacity in organic resource management and use these skills to improve their livelihoods?  Janet Aketch of the Rainbow Women Group provides an inspiring example from their broad-based efforts to help women and children in Nyanza Province.

The Rainbow Women Group was founded in 1997 with the overall goal of assisting rural women to become more self-reliant.   They strive to raise farm production, improve household food security, provide better health care for women and children and to improve women's economic status within the community. Two of their activities relating to nutrient recycling and handicrafts were highlighted during FORMAT Countrywide Events.

Nutrient recycling strategies that are promoted by the group include composting, liquid manuring and the preparation of plant “teas”.  The group practices a three-step compost-making procedure that economizes on space and time. Plant teas are prepared from green leaves of tithonia or lantana by chopping the leaves, placing them into a drum of water, adding ash and stirring the mixture every three days.  The liquid fertilizer is ready after 14 days and may be diluted 1:2 with water before applying to the garden. The group members also prepare handicrafts from bananas. Banana fiber is cut into strips and the pith is removed and strips are dried.  Next, strips are woven into door mats or twisted into rope that is wrapped around frames to produce trays and coasters.

The Rainbow Women Group has achieved much during the past seven years.  In 1998, compost-making was practiced by all members, in 1999 the group purchased three acres for collective gardening, in 2000 food self-sufficiency was achieved by all members, in 2001 livestock rearing was started, in 2002 handicrafts and home care projects began and by 2003 every group member had at least one cow and a she-goat.  In addition, the group has trained 30 other self-help groups in organic farming and provides daily assistance to 30 patients and 20 orphans.  Skills in organic resource management have truly empowered this productive group of women!