Ahero, Kenya — For decades, rice fields in Ahero, a small farming town in western Kenya’s Kisumu County, have been at the mercy of climate extremes. Floods drown crops. Droughts crack the land. And while rice is plentiful, diets are narrow and malnutrition is common.
But a new way of farming guided by data and centuries-old wisdom is showing promise.
A recent study led by ICON Data and Learning Labs, in partnership with the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute and grassroots organisation TINADA Youth Action Africa, explored an approach called Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). The method brings together rice, fish, and indigenous vegetables in one system.
The study reached over 500 households in the region. The findings? When data is put into farmers’ hands, change follows.
“It’s not just about what grows in the field. It’s about what ends up on the plate,” said Zeddy Misiga, founder of ICON. “We’re combining knowledge of climate, food and health to help communities plan with confidence.”
More Than Just Fish in the Water
Despite Ahero’s strong farming culture, most households still eat meals from just two or three food groups. The data revealed that 97% of surveyed families fall into the “poor dietary diversity” category. That lack of variety has consequences especially for children.
Yet most farmers aren’t strangers to diversity on their farms. They already grow vegetables alongside rice. What’s missing, the research shows, is the integration of fish into their fields.
While over half of farmers (57%) see the benefits of rice-fish farming, fewer than one in five actually do it. The reasons are telling: lack of training, limited access to fingerlings (young fish), and poor irrigation systems.
“It’s not that farmers don’t want to try,” said Andrew Karanja, a Data Fellow from the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD). “They just don’t have the tools. That’s where data helps. It shows us exactly where the gaps are.”
Floods, Droughts and Data
Climate change is no abstract idea here. For farmers in Ahero, it’s a lived reality. Floods sweep away months of work. Droughts hit hard, especially when there’s only one crop in the field.
IMTA offers something different. It spreads the risk. If rice fails, fish or vegetables might still grow. And according to the project’s predictive models, households using IMTA stand a better chance of maintaining income and nutrition even in tough seasons.
“Our aim was to turn vulnerability into action,” said Andrew. “When you map the data, you can plan smarter. And it’s no longer trial and error it’s evidence-based.”
The Gender Divide
The research uncovered a sharp divide along gender lines. Although 58% of the surveyed homes were led by women, they had less access to resources and lower climate resilience. Their households reported worse food variety and fewer farming inputs.
But the study also pointed to a solution.
“Women are key,” said Andrew. “They are the most affected by climate stress, but also the most ready to adapt if given the right support.”
From Data to Action
The initiative isn’t stopping at data collection. The team has designed a three-step rollout plan: raise awareness, offer technical support, and build confidence through demonstration farms. The report recommends investment in irrigation systems, fingerling supply, and farming education targeted at women and young people.
“The government now has a clear path,” said Andrew. “It knows where to put its money, and what kind of support will matter most.”
For farmers like those in Ahero, this shift is more than a policy idea. It’s a lifeline. The IMTA project doesn’t just talk about climate resilience or food systems it shows how they work, side by side, in the muddy fields of real life.
As Zeddy put it:
“This isn’t just about Kenya. It’s a global model. One that respects tradition, uses local data, and puts people first.”
And in a world hungry for answers to climate and food insecurity, that model could matter far beyond the rice paddies of western Kenya.
