In a world where white-collar jobs often take center stage, Vincent Isambo stands out as a young man who has not only embraced farming but takes immense pride in his occupation.
While many youths chase after traditional career paths, Osambo is breaking stereotypes and demonstrating that farming is a viable and flexible profession.
After graduating with a diploma in business management from Regions Group International College in 2014, Isambo embarked on a journey that would transform his life and livelihood.
“After tarmacking in Nakuru and Nairobi without securing proper employment, I decided to return home,” Isambo recalled.
Isambo’s farming journey began in 2016 when he established a tree nursery at his family’s compound in Khwisero sub-county.
Cypress, eucalyptus, and Grevillea seedlings were nurtured under his care, sold to nearby markets at KSh 10 each.
This venture provided him with the initial capital to explore further opportunities.
In 2017, Isambo identified a gap in the local vegetable market.
”With around KSh 10,000 I had collected from the tree seedling business, I did my small research about vegetable farming by visiting local farmers and fact-finding online,” Isambo narrated.
He set up nurseries for kales, spider plants (managu), and other short-term crops. This marked the turning point in his journey.
The transition to vegetable farming was not without challenges.
Isambo hired casual workers to help with planting and harvesting.
“When the produce was ready, I hawked them in nearby villages, markets and institutions with a sack on my head. That’s how I built myself as people came to know me. After one year, I stopped hawking. Some customers called me to deliver vegetables, while others came to my farm to purchase them,” he said.
As demand grew, he expanded his operations, leasing more land within his neighborhood to cultivate maize, beans, groundnuts, soybeans, and even bananas.
Despite being dependent on rain-fed agriculture, Isambo implemented sustainable practices such as mulching to combat the effects of drought.
His resilience against natural calamities and his plans to dig a borehole to mitigate water scarcity are a testament to his commitment to the agricultural journey he embarked upon.
Isambo’s success has not only transformed his own life but has also created opportunities for others.
He provides employment to casual laborers and supplies fresh produce to the local community, nearby markets, and institutions.
With a weekly income ranging from KSh 3,000 to KSh 5,000 from his vegetable sales alone, Isambo’s story showcases the potential of agriculture as a sustainable livelihood.
