Empowering Coastal Communities through Nutrition and Resilient Fisheries
Food security in coastal Kenya is inseparable from the health of its fisheries and farming systems. Pathways to Reimagined Futures (PRF) is building a resilient food system that integrates small scale fisheries, agroecology, and climate smart agriculture. Our ongoing programmes in Kilifi and Kwale counties demonstrate how nutrition security and livelihood resilience can be achieved together.
Community Led Fisheries Governance
PRF strengthens locally managed marine areas (LMMAs), empowering communities to steward their own resources. This participatory approach ensures that conservation translates directly into improved household nutrition.
Nutrition Sensitive Interventions
Fish is a cornerstone of global diets, providing 17% of animal protein worldwide and critical micronutrients such as omega 3s, iodine, and vitamin D. In Kilifi and Kwale, PRF through nutrition education programmes encourage integrating fish and cassava into local diets, targeting young children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, the groups most vulnerable to malnutrition.
Agroecological Synergies
By linking aquaculture with agriculture, PRF promotes diversified diets, reduces dependence on single staples, and enhances resilience against climate shocks. In the Kenyan coastal counties, this vision is reflected in practical models such as integrated aquaculture–agriculture systems, seaweed farming connected to mangrove restoration, and water–energy–food nexus approaches that combine irrigation, renewable energy, and fisheries management. Together, these approaches enable communities to diversify diets, strengthen resilience to climate variability, and build sustainable livelihoods rooted in both ecological balance and economic opportunity.
Market Access & Value Chains
We connect producers, cooperatives, farmers, fisherfolk and entrepreneurs to sustainable markets while strengthening value addition, aggregation, processing and inclusive economic growth across coastal communities.
Seaweed Cooperatives
Supporting women-led seaweed enterprises through processing, branding and export market linkages that increase household income and strengthen coastal economies.
Mango & Cashew Value Chains
Connecting farmers to processors and aggregation centres, reducing post-harvest losses while improving productivity, value addition and market competitiveness.
Fisheries Market Systems
Improving cold-chain infrastructure, quality standards and buyer networks so artisanal fishers access premium regional and urban markets.
Coconut Enterprises
Supporting coconut processing into oils, fibre products, crafts and other high-value products that create jobs and expand export opportunities.
Impact
PRF’s food security interventions reduce malnutrition, enhance dietary diversity, and build resilience against climate change. By embedding nutrition into fisheries and farming systems, PRF positions coastal Kenya as a model for community driven food security in Africa.