Edward Kagwamba is among Kenyans who found success in other exploitations after the COVID-19 pandemic robbed them of their jobs.
The entrepreneur who worked in the tours and travel industry is among thousands of Kenyans who were laid off due to financial difficulties brought about by the pandemic.
However, despite the setback, he turned to farming and years into it, he is making a fortune for himself, although progressively.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Edward grows vegetables in his small garden in Thogoto Greens Estate in Kiambu County.
In an interview with Nation, the agriprenuer noted that his journey in vegetable farming started in 2020 when he visited one of the malls in Nairobi to shop for his family.
He was surprised when he found the vegetables shelves empty and when he inquired, an attendant noted that they had gone four days without vegetable supplies.
Chege noted that he saw a business opportunity and when he shared with his wife and siblings, he was encouraged to try it out.
However, just as he was trying to start off, he suffered a setback after the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
He was forced to wait and while in the course of it, the 48-year-old who worked in the tours and travel industry for over two decades was laid off.
This did not slow him down and with Ksh 20,000 capital, he set up Green Gardens Ltd.
“I farm an array of vegetables on eighth-acre, from sukuma wiki to spinach, cabbages and black nightshade (managu)
“I also grow beetroots, capsicums, cucumber, onions, garden peas (minji), maize and tomatoes,” Edward told Seeds of Gold.
Lettuce, beetroot, carrots, coriander, capsicums, tomatoes, onions and cucumber occupy 8 by 10 feet sections each.
Sukuma wiki and spinach sit approximately on 20 by 30 feet sections for each; maize and green peas on the other hand, occupy the rest.
Edward farms organically in a bid to get good market.
“I grow the crops using cow, chicken and goat manure, supplied by neighbours at no charge. I further don’t use any pesticides or herbicides to control pests and diseases,” he said.
His customers include his neighbours who visit his farm regularly to buy the vegetables.
Edward sells a bunch of sukuma wiki and spinach for Ksh 10 while lettuce and dania retail at Ksh 20 and Ksh 5 respectively.
“I am unable to meet the high demand but I am working on expanding the project on two more acres I have in Kikuyu,” he said.
He mentioned that he experiences among other challenges water shortage and birds which feed on some of his produce.
