By Bob Aston
Gicheru said that the group has been
partnering with Syngenta Kenya and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Livestock. Syngenta has been helping them to farm more productively by
providing a wide range of innovative products and solutions to the group.
Horticulture farming in Kenya has
been on the rise in recent past. More farmers have diversified their activities
by venturing into the field. Farmers in Matwiku village in Ng’arua Division,
Laikipia County, have not been left behind as they have come together to form
Matwiku Horticulture Growers Self Help Group to champion their interest. The
group was officially registered on January 27, 2014 though it has been in
existence for four years.
The group is comprised of 21 members,
nineteen male and two female. Members have grown kales, tomatoes and cabbages.
Peter Gicheru, Secretary, Matwiku
Horticulture Growers Self Help Group said that they decided to form the group as
they realized that they all have a common interest. Gicheru said that initially
finding a reliable market for their produce was a problem as members were
selling individually thus getting low returns.
Members during a meeting with ALIN officials |
“Forming the group has enabled us to
bulk produce. This has given us a good bargaining power when selling our farm
produce,” said Gicheru.
With market access being a challenge
Gicheru said that they have been bulking their produce and taking them to Kisii
or Nairobi twice a week.
Horticulture is the most vibrant
sectors in Kenya's agricultural sector and contributes immensely to the
socio-economic development of the country. The sector currently records an average
growth of 15% to 20% per annum.
The sub sector employs approximately
4.5 million people countrywide directly in production, processing, and
marketing, while another 3.5 million people benefit indirectly through trade
and other activities.
“The group members have more than 20
acres but they farm according to their ability. Most members practice crop
rotation by planting maize,” said Gicheru.
Members have been meeting once per
month. They have set up a revolving fund whereby each month they contribute Ksh
100. They started by each member initially saving 1,000 shares. They are now
able to borrow money from the group in case one needs to buy inputs but lacks finance.
A member is expected to return the loan with
an interest of 10%. They have set up a grace period of one month. Repayment of
the loan is expected to be completed within a duration of four months as this
is the time it takes for horticulture to be harvested. A member can borrow as
much as six times the amount contributed.
“Horticulture farming can at times be
frustrating as one can lack funds for buying inputs. The group helps members to
acquire the inputs during such times. All the members have so far benefited
from this,” said Gicheru.
Arid Lands Information Network officials together with group members |
Gicheru said that they intend to open
an agro vet early next year so that they can start selling farm inputs to
members and other farmers.
“We would like to leave a legacy that
will help our children. We hope that youths will learn from us how to improve
their livelihood through farming,” said Gicheru.
The group now plans to use Sokopepe
to sell their produce as well as to automate their farm records. Members have
already joined Farm Records Management Information System (FARMIS-Kenya).
FARMIS is a farm management and
diagnostic tool based on the use of farm records. They will now be able to have
access to various reports which highlight husbandry practices, market trends, weather
condition and on farm challenges.
Gicheru said that they are using
furrow irrigation. This is one of the most widely used type of irrigation where
water is applied and distributed over the soil surface by gravity. Water has
never been a problem there as most of the members have dug boreholes while
others get water from a nearby dam. Soil in the area is also conducive for
farming as it retains a lot of water.
The group’s main challenge has been
wild animals. Most of their crops are normally destroyed by elephants.
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