When Josphat Kiarie’s efforts to secure employment after completing his degree in Water Engineering in 2017 faced setbacks, he turned to odd jobs in construction in Nairobi.
However, unsatisfied with city life, he decided to return to his roots in Gacharage, Kandara, Murang’a County.
There, he stumbled upon an opportunity that would transform his life and the agricultural landscape of his community.
In his pursuit of livelihood, Kiarie delved into selling firewood to local industries and schools.
It was during this time that an old friend asked him if he could find tree tomato seedlings for him.
With a meager capital of 700 Kenyan Shillings, he embarked on a new journey.
“I bought each seedling for 100 Shillings,” he reveals.
This small step marked the beginning of his journey into cultivating and selling various fruit seedlings, eventually transforming him into a successful fruit farmer.
His journey officially began in 2020.
In the village of Gituya, Kiarie, 28, has transformed half an acre into a home to no less than 450 tree tomato plants.
About 200 to 250 of these plants bear fruits, and Kiarie emphasizes that he receives numerous orders, often struggling to meet the demands of his eager customers.
“Our buyers come from Murang’a, Kiambu, and Nairobi counties, most of them being wholesale buyers,” he tells Akilimali during an interview on his farm.
What sets Kiarie’s tree tomatoes apart from others is their unique sweetness, making them highly sought after in the market.
He attributes this success to ensuring the plants are grown using the best and most efficient agricultural practices.
To begin, Kiarie endeavors to minimize the use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides to combat diseases and pests.
He has embraced organic farming methods, including using livestock manure, and if necessary, he employs natural, non-toxic pesticides.
Additionally, his expertise in seedling production ensures that the plants are disease-free and pest-resistant.
“It has to be of high quality, healthy, free from diseases and pests because the seedlings we distribute can spread diseases and pests when transplanted,” he explains.
Highlighting the dangers of a harmful pest called Nematode, Kiarie warns that affected seedlings can introduce diseases and pests to the soil.
“If you can’t grow your own seedlings, make sure the supplier has taken proper care of them,” he advises.
Currently, Kiarie harvests 50 to 60 kilograms of tree tomatoes every week, and he believes his production has not yet reached its peak. He sells each kilogram for no less than 80 Shillings.
He utilizes social media platforms, especially Facebook through his page Green Nurseries, to find markets for his produce.
Continuing his journey in fruit farming, Kiarie is now producing seedlings for various fruits, including avocados, macadamia, strawberry guava, kiwi, passion fruits, oranges, pomegranates, mangoes, and grapes, among others.
