Bob Koigi, Farmbiz lead journalist and editor was among winners in the 2013 Africa Media Challenge , a continental programme of reporting grants that is meant to encourage innovative, multi-media storytelling that aims to improve the prosperity of Africans.
The Story Challenge is a project by the African Media Initiative (AMI), the continent’s largest association of media owners and operators, in partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).
Under the Agriculture and Food security category, Bob Koigi was awarded for his compelling and detailed story titled ‘Urban farmers grow more with less to feed rising population.’
The story explained the conundrum of feeding a burgeoning population of Africans moving to urban areas even as food price spike reaches unprecedented highs. But in East African cities, a growing number of urban families have decided to do something about it. From rooftop gardens, tyre and sack farming, urban agriculture is emerging as a food security option, with reports indicating that up to half of the food consumed in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Kampala is grown in big towns, the story said.
“This is another feather to my cap and testament that hard work never goes unrewarded. It has been a labour of love trying to tell the agricultural story that has for long been neglected,” said Mr. Bob Koigi.
Bob Koigi beat thousands of applicants in what the judges described as a very competitive process with his story getting a nod due to “highly articulate, well researched, compelling and engaging story,” according to the judges. This is Bob Koigi’s fourth international Farmbiz award. “I accept this award with utmost humility and promise never to relent in telling the farmers’ story because to me this is not just a job I do, it’s a vocation, a calling,” said a jubilant Koigi.