In recent years, profitable maize farming has become a tangible reality for many Kenyan farmers who are embracing innovative technologies to dramatically enhance their yields.
Among these success stories, the tale of Paul Nyongesa, a student at Egerton University, whose determination and adaptability transformed a simple plot of land into a thriving agricultural enterprise.
Paul’s journey began in the slums of Nairobi, where he spent a significant portion of his life before relocating to Butula in Busia County.
In Busia County, he followed in his mother’s footsteps, inspired by her background as a farmer.
Upon her passing, Paul saw an opportunity to breathe life into his father’s underutilized 4-acre farm and embarked on a journey to transform it into a profitable venture.
Starting with limited resources, Paul faced initial challenges due to the lack of capital required to kickstart the maize farming process.
However, his resourcefulness and dedication led him to devise a creative solution.
He sold a 2-year-old pig left by his mother for Ksh 6,000, and he supplemented this amount by selling the remaining maize from his mother’s stock.
“After my mother’s passing, she had left behind a pig and the maize she had cultivated on the farm. This prompted me to harvest the maize and sell it in order to generate the capital needed for a fresh start.” Paul, who is set to graduate later this year said.
With a total of Ksh 10,000 at his disposal, he meticulously allocated these funds towards land preparation, purchasing seedlings, and compensating his workers.
Paul’s determination to succeed pushed him to leverage every available resource.
In addition to the funds he raised from selling the pig and maize, he tapped into pocket money from relatives, which he channeled into procuring fertilizers and paying his workers.
“Getting started wasn’t easy, and I had to allocate some of the funds I received to support myself in school while also investing in farming,” he said.
As he balanced his academic commitments with his burgeoning farming endeavor, he often faced financial constraints, even resorting to sacrificing meals to meet his labor payments.
A stroke of luck arrived when he secured a job with a local media house, earning Ksh 12,000 per month by blogging articles.
This new income stream not only eased his financial burden but also helped him invest in his father’s 2.5 acres.
While the initial stages were challenging, Paul’s perseverance began to bear fruit.
After a season filled with financial obstacles, he managed to harvest maize, earning Ksh 48,000.
Half of this sum was directed towards opening a Sacco account, demonstrating his dedication to building a sustainable future.
This victory was achieved despite confronting a host of challenges ranging from low plant population and pest infestations to fungal diseases and suboptimal timing of farm activities.
In 2022, the farm yielded just 8 bags per acre; however, Paul’s unwavering commitment and a willingness to learn led to remarkable improvements the following year.
As Paul continued to cultivate his father’s land, he recognized the potential for expansion and higher output.
In January 2023, he embarked on a new chapter by leasing an additional 6 acres from Mundika in Busia and teso land.
“At the beginning of this year, I made the decision to lease land across different areas within Busia County, aiming to further augment my income.”
This move allowed him to diversify and multiply his yields.
As of August 2023, he had amassed 56 bags of 90 kg of maize, each sold for Ksh 4,500 per bag to a trader based in Kitale.
Not content with maize alone, Paul had his sights set on further diversification.
He had already ventured into sugarcane cultivation on his father’s land and had already expand this enterprise to a 3-acre plot in Teso County.
“I’m also growing sugarcane now, and I’ve rented a 3-acre farm in Teso County for Ksh 60,000. The lease is for six years.” Paul said.
His maize business had evolved into a multifaceted agricultural venture, and he had even more ambitious plans for the future.
After completing the sugarcane planting and harvesting phase, he is aiming to enter the real estate market, with a projected return of Ksh 1.8 million from the 9-acre sugarcane farm after the next year’s harvest.
“I already have 5 acres of land with sugarcane planted, and I’m planning to add another four acres by the end of next month.”
