Lead Researcher: Dr. Lucy Kitonga, PhD

Kisii University, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota and other partners including Chuka University and Fie Labs, has secured a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) to empower women farmers in Kenya. The project aims to enhance their participation in the school meals value chain by improving their capacity to supply nutritious, high-quality food to schools in Kisii and Nyamira counties, supporting the "home-grown school meals" initiative. The team, led by Dr. Lydiah Kitonga from Kisii University, will focus on increasing food production, organizing women into cooperatives, integrating nutrition education in schools, and boosting local food supply to strengthen school meal programs.