Anthony Kiptoo Rono’s journey into alcoholism began at a young age, starting with a few sips of liquor during his sister’s birthday party. Despite his addiction, he surprisingly excelled in his studies, even though alcohol had taken control of his life. After graduating from university, he returned home to Belgut, Kericho County, and began tea farming, spending a significant portion of his earnings on alcohol.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Journey through Addiction and Entrepreneurship
He had a tumultuous battle with alcohol addiction, but he managed to turn his life around and establish a successful seedling business. His inspiring story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and determination.
“I was forced into a one year rehabilitation program at Asumbi in Homa Bay County something that changed my life for the better,” he told FarmersReviewAfrica.
Overcoming Alcoholism and Embracing a New Path
Rono’s struggle with alcohol addiction began in his early years, but he hit a turning point when he entered a one-year rehabilitation program in Homa Bay County.
This experience marked the beginning of his transformation and set him on a path towards entrepreneurship.
Failed Tomato Farmer, Rehabilitation and New Venture
In 2014, he applied for a government youth fund and ventured into tomato farming in an 8x15m greenhouse. However, struggling with loan repayments, he fell back into a cycle of heavy drinking. It was not until he underwent a one-year rehabilitation program in 2017 that his life took a positive turn.
Seizing the Opportunity in Seedling Raising
During his recovery after rehabilitation, Rono encountered a farmer from Kitale who introduced him to the world of seedling raising.
Recognizing the potential in this field, he invested Ksh30,000 in vegetable seeds and cocopeat to start his own seedling business.
From Addiction to Prosperity: The Growth of Rono’s Seedling Venture
Rono’s seedling business flourished over the years, offering a wide variety of vegetable seedlings, including indigenous species, cabbages, kales, capsicum, and more.
With prices ranging from Ksh2 to Ksh23 per seedling, his business now yields a remarkable net income of up to Ksh180,000 per month.
Empowering Women and Making a Difference in the Community
Rono’s success extends beyond his personal achievements. He initiated a women empowerment project in Belgut, where he trains women to transform their kitchen gardens into profitable ventures using innovative vertical gardening techniques.
He is also working on collaborating with a local Catholic church to extend this project to their women’s groups.
Furthermore, Rono has plans to create a special initiative to support the youth in the area who are battling addiction and other challenges.
Expanding into Organic Produce and Contributing to Local Businesses
Recognizing the demand for organic vegetables, Rono diversified his business by sourcing high-quality produce such as broccoli, lettuce, cucumber, and English kales from organic farmers.
He supplies these organic vegetables to prestigious hotels and restaurants in Kericho Town, generating an additional income of approximately Ksh80,000 per month.
A Vision for a Bright Future
With an annual turnover of Ksh600,000, Rono envisions further growth and expansion in his agribusiness endeavors. He plans to explore opportunities in animal feed production, avocado and passion fruit farming, as well as chicken and Dorper sheep rearing for the production of organic manure.
Inspired by the Yara and Kuza leadership academy program, Rono is committed to making a lasting impact in the agricultural sector and empowering others through his journey of transformation.
