In the bustling town of Kinari, Kiambu County, a name echoes through the lanes and markets – Stephen Kibathi, the man who transformed from a struggling carpenter to a master of the vegetable business.
With hard work, determination, and a passion for organic farming, Kibathi’s journey serves as an inspiring tale of success, proving that with the right approach, dreams can be turned into reality.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Background
Thirty years ago, Kibathi’s life revolved around earning a meager income of Ksh35 per day as a carpenter.
Despite attempting several small businesses, nothing seemed to yield the desired results.
However, destiny had something grand in store for him.
In 1997, Kibathi embraced his calling and ventured into the world of vegetable farming.
Leaving behind his carpentry job was a leap of faith, and little did he know that this decision would be the turning point in his life.
The initial days were not without challenges, but with unwavering dedication and a strong belief in organic farming, he gradually witnessed his fortunes taking a positive turn.
Today, Kibathi’s one-and-a-quarter-acre farm thrives with lush greenery, as he grows a variety of vegetables, including spinach, sukuma wiki (kale), and cabbages.
With his produce being sought after in the local market, he can proudly claim to make Ksh3,000 daily from the sale of sukuma wiki and spinach alone.
Every fortnight, Stephen Kibathi sells 60 bags of 50kg each of spinach and sukuma wiki, with each bag commanding prices ranging from Ksh1,000 to Ksh2,000.
Within the span of a month, he successfully trades 120 bags of these vegetables to local traders.
“I have six casual workers who assist me in the farm, harvesting the vegetables and for the traders who come to buy the produce early in the morning so they can take them to various markets,” Kibathi told the Star.
Central to Kibathi’s success is his commitment to organic farming practices.
Refusing to use synthetic fertilizers, he relies solely on the nutrient-rich manure from his two dairy cows.
Moreover, he ingeniously set up a bio-digester on his five-acre farm, which produces slurry to further enrich the soil.
Not only has this allowed him to save significant amounts of money previously spent on buying manure, but it has also cemented his reputation as an environmentally conscious farmer.
The road to success wasn’t an isolated journey for Kibathi.
Employing six casual workers, he has created job opportunities for locals who help with farming activities, as well as the early morning sales to traders.
His dedication to building a thriving agricultural community is evident in his venture into managing vegetable farms for others looking to follow in his footsteps and commercialize vegetable farming.
Beyond growing and selling vegetables, Kibathi ventured into the seedling business in 2007.
Offering a wide array of seedlings, including sukuma wiki, spinach, and cabbage, he quickly gained the trust of nearly 1,000 farmers who prefer to buy from him.
”So far it is a good venture and I make close to Ksh100,000 from the sale of sukuma wiki, spinach and cabbage seedlings. Lately, I have also gotten into managing vegetable farms for people that want to follow into my footsteps and commercialise vegetable farming,” Kibathi recalled..
With his sights set on a more extensive seedling venture, Kibathi has ambitious plans for the future.
He envisions constructing a greenhouse by 2023, a strategic move that will enable him to engage in large-scale commercial vegetable nursery farming.
Already, Kibathi has been selling seedlings to farmers as far as Uganda and Malindi through digital platforms like Facebook and customer referrals, proving his business acumen.
