How Kerry and Concern transform food security in Kenya’s Tana River

This World Food Day, Kerry is proud to spotlight a powerful story of transformation from Kenya’s Tana River region — where our partnership with Concern Worldwide is helping communities build resilience, improve nutrition, and secure sustainable livelihoods.

At the heart of this story is Hageya Konkona, a 37-year-old mother and farmer from Tana Delta. Like many in her community, Hageya faced the harsh realities of recurring floods, droughts, and limited access to markets. Her turning point came in 2022, when she joined the ALIVE programme (Agricultural Livelihoods Improving Value Chains and the Environment), a four-year initiative launched by Kerry in partnership with Concern Worldwide.

Through training in climate-smart agriculture, Hageya adopted new techniques and began cultivating watermelon and green grams. Her yields improved, her income stabilised, and she is now investing in her children’s education.

“Apart from having enough food for my household, I’m guaranteed income from selling my produce,” Hageya shares. “I plan to expand my farm and save for my children’s school fees.”

A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Impact

The ALIVE programme is designed to improve food security, nutrition, and economic opportunity for over 46,000 people in Tana River County. In collaboration with local governments and technical partners, Kerry and Concern are equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge to adapt to climate change and build sustainable futures.

Key Pillars of Progress

1. Climate-Smart Agriculture
Farmers are receiving training in pest management, crop diversification, and sustainable practices. Over 4,000 farmers have been equipped with drought-tolerant seeds, enabling the cultivation of 683 acres of new farmland. Despite extreme weather conditions, nearly one million kilograms of diverse food crops have been harvested — strengthening household nutrition and income.

2. Empowering Women and Strengthening Value Chains
Inclusive growth is central to ALIVE. The programme supports women and youth in the mango sector with grants, training, and processing equipment to reduce post-harvest losses and increase profitability. By connecting farmers to private sector partners such as Nutrinuts and Shambani Pro, ALIVE is building robust value chains that retain and reinvest value locally.

3. Tackling Malnutrition
Malnutrition remains a significant challenge in Tana River. Through nutrition education and health screenings, over 23,000 children have been assessed, with acute malnutrition rates among those under five reduced from 13.7% to 11.9%. Families are learning to diversify diets and adopt improved feeding practices for long-term health outcomes.

4. Connecting Farmers to Markets
To ensure sustainable livelihoods, ALIVE facilitates access to markets and finance. The programme supports the formation of farmer cooperatives, provides entrepreneurship training, and connects producers to buyers. Enhanced irrigation systems are improving water access, enabling year-round cultivation even during dry spells.

Building Resilience for a Better Future

Tana River communities continue to face complex environmental challenges — from droughts and flooding to saltwater intrusion that threatens crops, livestock, and fisheries.

In a region where over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, the ALIVE programme is helping people adapt, rebuild, and thrive.

“At Kerry, we believe meaningful change happens when innovation and collaboration come together with purpose,” said Catherine Keogh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Kerry. “Through our partnership with Concern Worldwide, we’re empowering farming communities in Tana River to build resilience, improve nutrition, and create opportunity for future generations. This World Food Day reminds us of the urgent need to make sustainable nutrition a reality — so that every community has access to a sustainable food system.”

A Blueprint for Sustainable Nutrition

The ALIVE Project is more than a programme- it’s a blueprint for how partnership, innovation, and local leadership can drive real change. By focusing on climate-smart agriculture, empowering women, improving nutrition, and connecting farmers to markets, Kerry and Concern are helping to build a future where food security is not just a hope, but a reality. This is an act of sustainable nutrition.