In the arid and drought-prone village of Voo in Kitui East, Kenya, one man has defied the odds and turned a seemingly impossible situation into a lucrative opportunity. Meet Suleiman Kalundu, a visionary farmer who saw the potential in watermelon farming and transformed his fortunes.
In this captivating success story, WoK delves into Suleiman’s journey from struggling with traditional crops to becoming a watermelon millionaire in a region considered hostile for farming.
From Struggles to Success: A Fruitful Transformation
For years, Suleiman Kalundu grappled with the challenges of growing maize and tomatoes on a small scale in the harsh climate of Kitui County. Unpredictable rainfall patterns made these crops nonviable, pushing him to explore new possibilities.
It was then that he decided to take a leap of faith into the world of watermelon farming, and little did he know that it would change his life forever.
Embracing the Watermelon Craze
Watermelons, with their high nutrient content and low-calorie appeal, had become an instant favorite among health-conscious Kenyans. Sensing the growing demand for this refreshing fruit, Suleiman saw a potential goldmine in his seven-acre piece of land.
According to Suleiman, “Watermelons have become an instant favorite for they are good in nutrients and are low in calories. With the growing concern among Kenyans to stay healthy.”
Reaping the Bounty: A Million-Shilling Harvest
With an initial investment of Ksh70,000 in preparation, water pump fuel, seeds, and pesticides, Suleiman witnessed incredible returns. Each season, he harvests an impressive yield and earns over Ksh600,000.
Selling a kilo of watermelon between Ksh30 and Ksh40, the prices peak during dry seasons when the demand skyrockets.
On Earning over Ksh. 1 million annually and Supporting His Family
Earning over Ksh1 million annually from watermelon production, Suleiman now supports his family and provides quality education for his children. With his newfound success, he has even acquired additional land to expand his agribusiness empire.
Suleiman proudly states, “Today I make over Kshs. 1 million annually. With the income I generate from watermelon production, I’m able to support my family as well as educate my children. I have also bought several pieces of land to expand my venture,” he told hotfreshjournal.com.
Challenges on the Road to Success
Despite the financial rewards, watermelon farming hasn’t been without its challenges. Kitui’s water scarcity forces Suleiman to rely on pumped irrigation from scoop-wells on Thua riverbed.
Additionally, watermelons are susceptible to diseases, leading to heavy investment in pesticides.
Suleiman acknowledges, “Watermelons have challenges, even though it is a lucrative business. Kitui being generally water scarce, we have to rely on pumped water through irrigation from scoop-wells on Thua riverbed which is adjacent to my farm. They are also prone to cracking or bursting during and after harvest due to rough handling.”
Nurturing the Crop: A Delicate Harvest
Watermelon harvesting requires precision and care. The fruit should be harvested as close to full ripeness as possible, and rough handling during and after harvest must be avoided to prevent cracking or bursting.
Yield ranges from 20-30 tonnes per acre, depending on the variety and crop management practices.
According to Suleiman, “Watermelons are harvested as close to full-ripeness as possible; this is when the fruit surface touching the soil is light yellow or when the vine closest to the fruit is starting to wilt. They are perishable and should not be dropped during handling, stepped on or stacked too high. They should be handled with care. Yield range from 20-30 tonnes per acre depending on variety and crop management practices.”
County Support for Agricultural Transformation
In a bid to uplift farmers’ livelihoods, the Kitui County government promotes the shift to drought-resistant and high-value crops like watermelons.
Suleiman’s success serves as an inspiration, and the county has invested in supporting small-scale agricultural programs to boost productivity.
Mechanizing Farming for Greater Efficiency
In neighboring Makueni County, efforts to mechanize farming have borne fruit. The acquisition of 40 tractors and the deployment of agricultural extension officers with motorcycles have transformed the agricultural landscape and improved farmers’ access to resources and support.
