Herb farming is one of the most profitable yet less explored agribusiness in Kenya, with the few farmers in the venture raking fortune out of it.

This is the story of Grace Muchai, who owns a herbs farm in Isinya Kajiado County. Muchai started the venture in 2022 when growing herbs was gaining popularity in Kenya.

Her three-acre farm hosts more than 30 herbs and spices, including chamomile, rosemary, tarragon, oregano, lemon grass, basil, chives, aloe vera, and thyme among others.

“Mine is the largest sage farm in this region. I now grow more than 30 herbs and spices,” says Grace.

Before investing her Sh100,000 into the venture, Grace embarked on market research, which concluded that growing herbs was profitable.

She would later consult the Kenya Institute of Organic Farming on herb production and gained knowledge on how to set up an organic farm by incorporating agroforestry, vermiculture, and other systems.

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“The first step in sage cultivation is land preparation. Manure is incorporated to into the soil to improve structure and moisture content,” she said.

She notes that farmers should source seeds from certified propagators. After planting, organic fertilizer and foliar spray are applied to help in vegetative growth and root development.

“We water the land before planting. This moistens the soil in the first few weeks of establishment,” Ms Muchai says, adding that preventive spray is also administered after every two weeks.

The plants take three to four months to reach maturity, and they can be harvested on every month or month and a half for up to three years.

Grace gets about 400 kilograms of sage in one season, with a kilo of raw sage fetching between Sh250 and Sh300. She notes that Most of the buyers are outside Kenya.