Peter Marwa, a 29-year-old finance graduate from Kisii University defied the odds by making a fortune from onion farming.
After facing challenges in securing a job in his field, Marwa decided to explore horticulture and found success in growing onions.
Today, he is a thriving farmer in Hola, Tana River county, making his mark in the agricultural industry.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
The Journey to Horticulture
In 2018, Marwa ventured to Hola in search of employment opportunities.
However, fate had different plans for him. Unable to secure a job, he turned to farming as there was available land under irrigation.
Embracing the possibilities of horticulture, Marwa began cultivating various crops, including watermelons, groundnuts, and onions.
Hola’s irrigation scheme, the oldest in the National Irrigation Authority, provided the necessary water supply for farming, allowing farmers like Marwa to diversify their crops.
The Onion Farming Venture
Marwa found himself drawn to the potential of onion farming due to its high demand in the market.
He allocated 15 acres of land for onion cultivation, starting with a nursery to prepare the seedlings.
However, the 2021 October-November-December short rains posed a challenge as they eroded some of the seedlings, forcing him to scale down to 12 acres.
“I used about 15 kilos of onion seeds in the nursery, but the 2021 October-November-December short rains eroded some of the seedlings. Instead of planting 15 acres, I ended up doing 12 acres under onions,” Marwa told the Star in an earlier interview.
Despite the setback, Marwa remained resilient, salvaging most of the seedlings and transplanting them to his 12-acre onion farm.
Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
Like any venture, Marwa faced challenges along the way.
One of the biggest hurdles he encountered was pest and weed control.
“I end up spending a lot of money on controlling weeds and the thrips. Though I must say the returns are good, especially now when there is a shortage of onions,” he said.
To ensure the health and productivity of his onion crops, he invested a considerable amount in managing weeds and controlling thrips.
However, the returns were promising, especially considering the current shortage of onions in the market. Local traders quickly recognized the quality of his produce, and demand for his onions began to soar.
Market Success and Future Prospects
When his onions neared harvest in May 2022, Marwa aimed to sell his produce both locally in Hola and in Nairobi.
Traders had already started visiting his farm to purchase his onions, with prices ranging from Ksh100 per kilo at the farm gate to Ksh120 in the market.
He anticipated harvesting about 10,000 kilos of onions, equating to an impressive income of Ksh1 million.
According to Marwa, the total production cost per acre, which includes water charges amounting to Ksh3,400 per season and expenses for labor and chemicals used for weed and pest control, is approximately Ksh50,000.
Looking ahead, Marwa planed to continue supplying the local market while also exploring opportunities in larger markets.
He had already prepared a nursery for the next planting season, indicating his commitment to sustained success in the markets.
