About this project
Project Snapshot: EcoFert Solutions – Liquid Fertilizer from Organic Waste
EcoFert Solutions is a youth-led green innovation project dedicated to transforming organic agricultural and household waste into nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer, providing a sustainable solution to soil degradation, food insecurity, and waste management challenges in Kenya. Our mission is to empower smallholder farmers and communities with affordable, eco-friendly fertilizer alternatives while reducing the environmental burden of organic waste.
In Kenya, over 60% of household waste is biodegradable, yet most of it ends up in landfills, contributing to methane emissions and groundwater pollution. At the same time, small-scale farmers struggle with the high cost and limited availability of synthetic fertilizers, which also contribute to long-term soil acidity and reduced productivity. EcoFert addresses both problems by closing the loop—turning waste into a valuable input for agriculture.
Our process is simple, scalable, and community-oriented. Organic waste (such as vegetable peels, crop residues, livestock manure, and banana stems) is collected from farms, markets, and households. Through an anaerobic fermentation process enhanced with microbial activators, this waste is broken down in airtight drums over 2–4 weeks to produce a high-quality liquid fertilizer rich in essential macro- and micronutrients (NPK, calcium, iron, magnesium). The residue is further composted into solid manure, ensuring zero waste.
The end product is a cost-effective, odor-free, and easy-to-apply liquid fertilizer suitable for soil drenching and foliar spraying. It improves soil structure, boosts crop yield, and enhances carbon sequestration. Our product has already been piloted with over 150 farmers in Vihiga and Kakamega counties, who have reported improved plant growth, reduced input costs, and a better understanding of sustainable farming practices.
EcoFert Solutions also integrates youth and women into the green economy. We train local youth groups and school environmental clubs on organic waste collection, fertilizer production, and usage. We are currently collaborating with agricultural extension officers and the Kenya Innovation Agency to expand our training model and improve quality control.
To scale our impact, we are working on establishing decentralized fertilizer hubs in rural areas, supported by solar-powered equipment and mobile-based farmer outreach. In the future, we aim to integrate sensor-based pH/NPK testing and develop a mobile app for distribution, farmer education, and impact tracking.
Our project aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). With the right support, EcoFert Solutions can help transform Kenya’s agricultural sector into a circular, climate-resilient economy—turning waste into wealth, one drop at a time.
Goals and Objectives
Goals, Objectives, and Impact Sustainability
Goals and Objectives:
The primary goal of the EcoFert Solutions project is to promote sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and circular waste management through the production of affordable, eco-friendly liquid fertilizer from organic waste. Our specific objectives are to:
Convert biodegradable waste into nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer to reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
Improve soil health and crop productivity among smallholder farmers.
Create green jobs and skill-building opportunities for youth and women.
Promote climate-smart agriculture by reducing methane emissions from decaying organic waste.
Intended Beneficiaries:
The project targets smallholder farmers, rural youth, and women’s groups in western Kenya. These groups were chosen because they are disproportionately affected by rising fertilizer costs, declining soil fertility, and limited access to climate-smart agricultural practices. By providing training and access to low-cost organic fertilizer, beneficiaries will experience:
Increased crop yields and food security
Reduced farm input expenses
Improved environmental awareness and green entrepreneurship skills
Sustainability and Scalability:
To ensure lasting impact, the project emphasizes capacity-building and community ownership. Local youth and farmer groups are trained to manage decentralized production units using readily available materials. The use of mobile outreach and peer training ensures knowledge is retained and shared beyond the project period.
The project has strong potential for replication and scale-up. Its low-tech, low-cost model makes it adaptable across rural and peri-urban settings. Strategic partnerships with county governments, schools, and agricultural cooperatives will help expand reach. Additionally, surplus fertilizer can be packaged and sold, generating income to sustain operations while addressing SDG goals on food security, responsible consumption, and climate action.
Expected result
Expected Results (SMART)
1. Production of 5,000 litres of liquid fertilizer within 12 months
Specific: The project aims to produce and distribute 5,000 litres of organic liquid fertilizer using biodegradable waste collected from farms and households.
Measurable: Fertilizer production will be tracked weekly using logbooks maintained at each fermentation site.
Achievable: Based on a monthly production capacity of 400–500 litres from decentralized fermentation units, this target is realistic.
Relevant: This addresses farmers’ demand for affordable, sustainable inputs.
Time-bound: Target to be achieved by the end of month 12.
Monitoring Tool: Production records, physical measurements at distribution points.
2. Train 200 smallholder farmers and 50 youth/women on sustainable fertilizer production and application
Specific: Deliver hands-on training workshops across five rural hubs.
Measurable: Participant registration, attendance sheets, and pre/post-training surveys.
Achievable: Leveraging support from local agricultural officers, extension workers, and our trained EcoFert team.
Relevant: Builds local capacity to continue the project independently.
Time-bound: Training completed within the first 6 months.
Monitoring Tool: Training logs, survey analysis, WhatsApp follow-up group activity.
3. Improve crop yield by 20–30% among at least 100 participating farmers by the end of the farming season
Specific: Track crop performance (maize, vegetables, beans) with and without EcoFert application.
Measurable: Yield (kg per acre) before and after project adoption using farmer self-reports and spot-checks.
Achievable: Based on early field tests showing yield boosts of 25–35% for vegetables.
Relevant: Core to achieving food security and farmer income uplift.
Time-bound: Measured at end of each 3-month cropping cycle.
Monitoring Tool: Farmer record books, site visits, photographic evidence.
4. Divert at least 8 tonnes of organic waste from landfills within 1 year
Specific: Collect vegetable waste, banana stems, and food scraps from 10 villages, markets, and schools.
Measurable: Weight logs maintained during waste collection drives.
Achievable: With regular bi-weekly collection and community participation, this is within reach.
Relevant: Reduces methane emissions and landfill burden.
Time-bound: Achieved within 12 months.
Monitoring Tool: Weighing scales at waste points, waste tracking forms.
5. Establish 3 self-sustaining EcoFert community hubs by Month 12
Specific: Set up production and training centers in 3 different wards with local management teams.
Measurable: Hubs operational with production and training records, income reports from fertilizer sales.
Achievable: Leveraging youth groups, CBOs, and support from the Kenya Innovation Agency.
Relevant: Ensures continuity and potential for expansion beyond the project period.
Time-bound: All hubs fully functional by Month 12.
Monitoring Tool: Hub reports, business tracking sheets, field visits.
Monitoring & Evaluation Capacity
The project will assign a Monitoring & Evaluation Lead to track all activities. Mobile tools (Google Forms, WhatsApp) will be used for real-time data collection. Quarterly reports and a final evaluation will assess outcome success and scalability potential.
About me / organisation
EMMACULATE WERE
Project Leader: Emmaculate Were
Emmaculate Were is a 19-year-old environmental science graduate and a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, youth empowerment, and waste-to-resource innovation. She serves as the Project Lead of EcoFert Solutions, where she oversees the coordination of daily activities, community engagement, training programs, and impact evaluation.
Emmaculate brings hands-on experience in organic waste management and has worked closely with rural farming communities in western Kenya. Her academic background in environmental conservation and soil science has equipped her with the technical knowledge to design eco-friendly, cost-effective alternatives to synthetic fertilizers. She previously led a university green campus initiative that promoted composting and tree planting, inspiring her to scale these practices to a wider community level.
As the face of EcoFert, Emmaculate plays a key role in mobilizing youth and women to participate in circular economy practices. She liaises with schools, local authorities, agricultural officers, and NGOs to ensure smooth implementation of project activities. Her strong communication and leadership skills make her effective at community sensitization, workshop facilitation, and ensuring accountability.
Emmaculate’s long-term vision is to see rural communities thrive through sustainable, climate-smart farming solutions. Under her leadership, EcoFert Solutions is not just producing fertilizer—it’s cultivating a greener, more resilient future for Kenya’s farmers.