Cha Kula Podcast

In this episode of the Cha Kula Podcast, we delve into the repercussions of current food production and consumption on the environment, emphasizing the imperative shift towards agroecological practices in the face of Climate Change. Joining us in the studio are Dr. Anika Molesworth, a farmer, scientist, and advocate known for her contributions to agriculture and climate change awareness, and Sylvi...

Our agri-food systems are facing unprecedented challenges, exacerbated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, civil conflicts, lack of political will, poverty, inequality, power in a few hands, loss of biodiversity and climate change. These challenges go beyond the immediate need for technological solutions; they demand a nuanced understanding of the political and economic drivers that shape ou...

The Global Food System is broken. The food system is a complex web of activities and sectors involving the production, processing, transport, and consumption of food and is best conceptualized as an eco-agri-food-health system. In this episode, Lena Luig, Head of International Agriculture policy Division, Heinrich Boell Stiftung e. V, Berlin explores the multifaceted challenges and complexities of...

Join us on this episode of the Cha Kula Podcast as we delve into the critical topic of agricultural development and government policy in Kenya with Eng. Laban Kiplagat from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries and Hon. Agostino Neto, Technical Advisor to the CS of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. Despite the constitutional right to food for every Kenyan, food insecurity rema...

Food is an integral part of Kenyan culture, representing a rich tapestry of traditions and heritage. In Kenya, food is not merely sustenance; it holds immense social and cultural significance. Different communities have their distinct cuisines, preparation techniques, and food-related rituals that have been passed down through generations. On this episode, we interviewed Dr. Maundu, an expert from...

Get ready for a stimulating episode of the Cha Kula podcast, where we dive into the fascinating world of politics and power in Kenya's food system. Our host, Felistus Mwalia, is joined by Chief Nyamweya, the mastermind behind the graphic novel "The Blind Spot," which highlights the many ways politics influences our food system. We also have the pleasure of chatting with Bertha Odawa, a law student...

Global hunger is still rising and the world is still not on track to meet the 2030 zero hunger target of the UN Sustainable Development Goals – confirmed on the SOFI report. The number of people affected by hunger globally rose to as many as 828 million, an increase of about 46 million since 2020 and 150 million since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, almost 3.1 billion people c...

Food is a crucial subject all over the world. It's at the center of our lives, and food has everything to do with gender. But there is a gap between feminist and food media, which leaves out important perspectives on the intersections of food, power, gender, and politics. Feminist Food Journal, an online magazine dedicated to a feminist food future, joined us on this episode. They use food as a le...

Nairobi's population is expected to grow to 5.94 million people by 2030, resulting in increased waste generation. The Dandora dumpsite (Kenya's biggest dumpsite) receives approximately half of the waste. Soil around the dumpsite contains higher concentration of various heavy metals. Contaminants from the dumpsite decreases the strength of soil and quality. Soil contamination also effect the surviv...

Food and nutrition insecurity continues to be one of Kenya's biggest problems. While technological advancements, enhancement of infrastructure and education, and other factors have changed over the last 58 years of independent Kenya, food insecurity has remained a perennial problem. Most Kenyans are affected by different levels and forms of food and nutrition insecurity as the government seemingly...

“If the bee disappears from the surface of the Earth, man would have no more than four years left to live.”Albert Einsten Bees and humans have long had a close relationship because bees of the role they play in pollination (80% of the world’s plants are pollinated by bees) and because of the economic value of bee products has helped many small-scale farmers improve their standard of living. As we...

The food on your plate today is more than just a combination of inert ingredients heated – it is a reflection of various structural forces at work. Dr. Njoki Ngumi of the Nest Collective, Joseph Kobuthi of The Elephant, and Professor Kimani Njogu of Twaweza Communications critically examine western misconceptions about African food systems, the effects of colonization on our food and farming syste...

The food on your plate today is more than just a combination of inert ingredients heated – it is a reflection of various structural forces at work. Dr. Njoki Ngumi of the Nest Collective, Joseph Kobuthi of The Elephant, and Professor Kimani Njogu of Twaweza Communications critically examine western misconceptions about African food systems, the effects of colonization on our food and farming syste...

Safe food for all Kenyans is enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution, 2010. The right to food is one of our economic and social rights, which the state is required to take steps to achieve. As per Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, the government has the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the realisation of the right to food for all Kenyans. However, food safety is one of the fastest ris...

Consumers have a lot of influence on food systems through the choices they make and practically finance the food system by taking up the costs of production, and resources used through purchase of food. Consumer demands on the type and quality of food greatly influence how food is produced albeit in the form of specific markets or niche demands within the overall food market landscape. However, ma...

Episode XXVI: Impact of Aid and Development Assistance on our Food Systems by Cha Kula Podcast

Episode XXV: Regenerative agriculture | Farmers healing the soil by Cha Kula Podcast

Seeds are the very basis of our food systems. We can’t control our food systems if we don’t have control of our seeds. In this episode a seed systems specialist, Noel Templer shared with us the difference between commercialized seeds and farmer managed seed systems and the place of farmer managed seed systems in Kenya. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood...

Healthy soils feed a healthy plant and in turn safe, nutritious and balanced food for a healthy population. Dr. David Lelei a soil biologist joins us in this episode of the Cha Kula podcast and shares with us the status of the soil in the country and why soil is very important in ensuring we are food secure. He also shares with us some of the practices we can use to regenerate our soils and why it...

In this episode, Patricia McFadden, a radical African feminist, activist, sociologist, writer, educator, and publisher from Eswatini shares with us her insights on power dynamics in food and farming systems focusing on the role of gender, politics and multinational corporations in food security. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Foll...

Our ability to access food is one of the most overlooked aspects of the debate on solving hunger. We assume that producing more food means that everyone will be food secure. However, there are many other barriers in the way of achieving the right to food. In this episode, Gregory Kimani, founder of city shamba shares with us the power of kitchen gardening in ensuring food security at a household l...

Recently, organic farming has been receiving increased recognition as a sustainable approach to farming and food systems that can meet the current and future food and nutrition needs without causing more harm to the environment. While it's growing there are some perceptions and misperceptions associated with Organic farming. In this episode, Sylvia Kuria, an organic farmer debunks some of the perc...

Data is a very necessary ingredient to building sustainable food systems. At the same time, in the absence of adequate checks and balances, data on food and agriculture can easily be manipulated to the disadvantage of small actors (farmers, local businesses and innovators). In this episode, we look at the current context on data availability and utilization in food systems; who controls what? And...

Women face multiple challenges, including limited access to land and other productive and financial resources, education, health care, access to markets and employment opportunities. These challenges make them subject to social exclusion from decision-making and labor markets and sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and compared to men. Despite all these challenges, rural women play an importan...

Young people in Kenya make up the highest proportion of the population. 70% of Kenyans are below the age of 35. This, therefore, makes it imperative to ensure that young people are included in the food systems discussion in the country. Currently, the involvement of youth in food systems has been happening but in the wrong direction. Listen to Emmanuel Atamba, Research and Policy analyst at the Ro...