In the sleepy highlands of Nyandarua County, is an inspiring story of resilience and ambition. James Mwangi, a 45-year-old entrepreneur, built one of Kenya’s most successful agribusiness ventures. In a good year, he makes over Ksh 15 million. But James’ journey to success was not a smooth one.
Here is his story as told by WoK,
Humble Beginnings
James’ parents were subsistence farmers who could barely make ends meet.
“I remember going to school on an empty stomach and coming home to find we had to share a small meal of githeri,” James told WoK.
After completing his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCSE) exams, James could not proceed to high school due to lack of school fees. To fend for himself, he worked as a casual laborer on neighboring farms.
The Turning Point
In 2003, James used Ksh3,000 he had saved from odd jobs as capital to buy vegetables which he sold at the local market. He reinvested in his business and by 2009 he was able to secure a loan of Ksh100,000 from a local SACCO. With this money, James leased a one-acre plot of land to grow cabbages and carrots.
His first harvest yielded Ksh 300,000, allowing him to reinvest in additional acreage. He expanded his operations experimenting with high value crops like tomatoes and capsicums and later venturing into livestock farming.
Farming Empire
Today, James owns Green Fields Agro Ventures, a 100-acre farm in Nyandarua County. He grows a variety of crops, including potatoes, peas, and strawberries, and houses over 200 dairy cows. He supplies his produce to leading supermarkets and exports to markets in the Middle East and Europe.
The renowned farmer has also invested in modern techniques like greenhouse farming to maximize yields. “Technology has been a game-changer for me. With a single greenhouse, I can produce what used to take five acres,” he explains.
He employs over 100 permanent and casual workers on his farm.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
James attributes his success to discipline, hard work, and faith. “Start small, remain focused, and don’t fear taking risks,” he advises. His story serves as an inspiration to countless Kenyans, it’s possible to turn a modest beginning into a multimillion-shilling empire.