At the season finale of the second season of the Safaricom show, Blaze Be Your Own Boss, a 25-year-old was announced as the winner of the Sh. 5 million grand prize. That 25-year-old is none other than Brian Rono. Interestingly, the 25-yea-old took the prize courtesy of his farming acumen. You see, he is a potato farmer based in Baringo County. The grand prize consists of Sh. 3 million in cash and Sh. 2 million in business support from Safaricom.
We sat down with him to find out more about him and what he intends to do with his grand jackpot:
How does it feel to win?
The feeling is yet to sink in. I am overjoyed and glad that I took the leap of faith to join Blaze. I came with nothing but the desire to show my grit has seen me win this money because I know what I am capable of achieving.
Why did you join Blaze BYOB show?
From the word go, I knew that I was joining Blaze to try and secure funding for the expansion of my drip irrigation projects. Similarly, i also wanted to get mentored, build networks for business and future entrepreneurial aspirations, and acquire the grit I needed to increase my output.
Brian Rono Blaze Winner: Mr. Rono holding his dummy cheque after winning Sh. 5 million at the Blaze BYOB Season 2 finale.
You joined Blaze as a farmer, what do you farm and when did you venture into farming?
I have been farming since 2015 when I was in my fourth year at the university. Currently, I farm a potato variety known as ‘Shangi’.
Why farming?
By the time I was graduating, I had realized that I might have to start trekking in search of a job. I feared that there might not be too many openings for my degree in Actuarial science and decided to try another venture. Choosing farming was natural for me since I’m passionate about it. I also wanted to prove people wrong that farming is for the uneducated. Ukulima sio ushamba! Above all, though, I had been a long time admirer of the way aeroponics and hydroponics are practiced in some of the developed countries such as South Korea.
How many acres do you farm and what is your produce?
I currently farm on three acres. my aim, though is to scale it up to 10 acres. The three acres give me 300 bags of potatoes every three and a half months.This production has enabled me to provide for myself and my dependents as well as build my wealth without necessarily going into employment.
What do you plan to do with your jackpot prize?
I intend to invest 50 per cent of it in the drip irrigation of the potatoes and use the remaining 10 per cent as capital for my agribusiness and agribusiness consultancy. This should help me increase my production to a point where I can start processing and transporting my own produce. I would also create an investment portfolio that can increase my sources of income.
What else have you ventured into apart from farming?
I tried politics last year (laughs out).
Oh really, tell us about it?
I ran for the position of Member of County Assembly for Lembus Ward in Baringo County.I wanted to grow my leadership drive having been a leader from high school to the university. However, I lost in the nominations and threw my weight behind the gubernatorial aspirant Stanley Kiptis who clinched the Governor’s seat.
What is your parting shot?
Young people can achieve anything if they totally determine to. Having the grit, leaving the couch, and getting to work is the secret they need to embrace.
