In Kambiti village located in the lower and drier parts of Murang’a County which are usually a stern contrast to the tea and coffee growing highlands, we find an unexpectedly green farm hosting a thriving tree nursery and a variety of vegetables.
In this area where during the prolonged dry seasons the residents often rely on relief food from the government, Esther Muthoni, a resident has turned her farm into a sustainable source of income by growing seedlings and vegetables for sale.
Muthoni explained how for many years, like a majority of the residents in the area, she relied on rain fed agriculture, but due to the changes in rainfall patterns as a result of climate change, she noticed crop production was often affected and the harvests were meagre.
Muthoni told KNA that when she decided to venture into agribusiness, she started her tree nursery with less than 100 seedlings and out of the proceeds, she gradually expanded her farm and started growing other crops such as capsicum, spinach, arrowroots, tomatoes, kales and sugar cane.
“My tree nursery now has more than two thousand seedlings of various local fruit trees including pixie oranges, avocados, lemons, guavas and mangoes among others,” she said.
Her farm, characterized by lush green lawns of crops, stands out in comparison to other neighbouring farms which lay bare during the ongoing dry season.
She said that her clients for the seedlings are fruit farmers from Murang’a and the neighbouring counties who come to buy from her farm.
Muthoni revealed that soon after starting her venture, she was privileged to receive a financial boost of Sh24, 000 from the government through the Economic Inclusion Programme (EIP) which she used in expanding her agribusiness.
Muthoni has dug two water pans in her farm which collect rain water ensuring there is constant supply of water to irrigate her crops throughout the year.
“There is a small seasonal river that passes through the farm, but it dries out after some time which is why I needed the water pans.” she said.
She stated that she started her tree nursery on a quarter acre of land and in due course, she has been able to expand her farming to one acre growing a variety of crops that she sells to her neighbours.
“I have plans to expand my farming so that I can grow more crops that can meet the demand from my customers and also get more to take to the market,” Muthoni said.
“Many people come to get vegetables from the farm and sometimes I don’t have enough to sell to them,” she added.
Muthoni said that she is passionate about farming because as a business, it has been giving her better returns than other income generating ventures she has tried in the past.
As a way of adaptation to climate change, she has also adopted conservation agriculture which has seen her get adequate produce even during the drier months.
“My practice of conservation agriculture involves little land tillage to prevent soil erosion, mulching for soil cover and crop rotation to optimize nutrients in the soil,” she explained.
“It is possible to change this area which is perceived to be dry and unproductive by diversifying to other crops,” she added.
Farming has however not been without its challenges with disease and pest infestation on the crops being a major setback.
Muthoni says when she gets enough money, she intends to set up greenhouses which are known to protect crops even under the harsh climatic conditions.
She called upon other farmers in the area to consider venturing into agribusiness as a way of generating income and boosting food security in the area noting that many people in Kambiti area only plant the maize and beans during the rainy seasons and sometimes the rainfall is inadequate
By Purity Mugo
