Josephine Wambua, a dairy farmer from Makueni, knows what it means to live with uncertainty due to the harsh reality of climate change. “Food for the cows was a very big challenge,” she explains. “When rain fails, there’s no food. Sometimes the rain is too little, so we don’t get to have enough.” Caught in the grip of climate unpredictability with erratic rainfall shrinking pasture and straining resources, she was forced to reduce her herd to just four cattle to sustain her family’s needs.
Her story is not unique. Across Kenya, smallholder farmers, who make up the backbone of the agricultural sector, are facing mounting challenges due to climate change. Erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and sudden floods have disrupted traditional farming cycles, threatening food security and livelihoods. In 2023, Kenya experienced one of its worst droughts in 40 years, affecting millions of people and livestock.
But today, Josephine is thriving. And she’s helping others do the same.
Josephine joined EDCA’s Mama Silage initiative, part of the Lishe Bora na Mama Silage Project spearheaded by ChildFund Kenya in partnership with Dow and Packaging Industries Limited. The project offers an innovative solution to fodder preservation: the Mama Silage Bag. Designed to stop oxygen transpiration and maintain ideal fermentation conditions, the bag ensures high-quality feed even during dry seasons.
Through hands-on training, peer mentorship, and access to silage bags via a revolving fund, Josephine learned how to produce and store nutritious fodder. She eventually saved enough to buy her own chopping machine. “Without the machine, I would have been disappointed and given up,” she admits.
Now, her cows produce 8 liters of milk daily sold at Ksh 80 per liter. Her niece’s health has improved, nourished by fresh milk at home. And Josephine tracks feed intake and milk output with precision, proud of every step forward.
The Mama Silage Bag isn’t just a tool, it’s a climate resilience strategy. As Kenya grapples with the effects of climate change, traditional farming methods are proving unsustainable. The silage bag aligns with climate-smart agriculture principles, helping farmers adapt to erratic weather patterns while maintaining productivity.
Josephine’s journey reflects the broader success of the project, which has trained over 600 farmers, most of them women and youth, in silage-making techniques. These practices are critical in building resilience against climate-induced shocks and ensuring food security in vulnerable communities.
Josephine’s impact didn’t stop at her farm. She became a mentor.
“I urged one of my friends to join the group, she accepted, and we managed to harvest 3 bags from her farm. Neighbors have also developed curiosity on this mama silage technology so whenever I am harvesting, I call them to come and learn from me. They have now asked me to remind them next season that if I start planting silage, I should let them know so that we can plant together.” Her home has become a hub of learning, where silage harvests double as community classrooms.
Josephine with fellow farmers after learning how to chop and store silage
Mama Silage is helping farmers reclaim time, reduce waste, and build networks of support. It’s turning maize stalks and sugar graze into resilience. And it’s doing so through women like Josephine, who are leading change from the ground up.
The project’s impact extends beyond agriculture. With improved fodder storage, dairy cows produce more milk, providing families with a steady source of nutrition especially for children vulnerable to malnutrition. Reduced feed costs and improved livestock productivity translate into higher profitability, empowering women and strengthening local economies.
This initiative supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including goal 2: Zero Hunger by improving food security and nutrition, goal 3: Good Health and Well-being through better dairy production and goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by reducing fodder waste
The success of Mama Silage is rooted in collaboration. Dow’s materials science innovations ensure the bags are durable and eco-friendly, PIL’s manufacturing expertise preserves fodder quality, ChildFund’s focus on strengthening livelihoods and EDCA’s community reach ensure the project benefits even the most vulnerable populations in Makueni and Kajiado counties.
This model shows how private sector, civil society, and local communities can co-create sustainable solutions to complex challenges like food insecurity and climate change.
At EDCA, we believe that lasting change begins with local voices. Through programs like Mama Silage, we’re not just improving livelihoods, we’re building systems of care, resilience, and shared learning.
