John Ouma a farmer in Rachuonyo North Sub County, in Homa Bay County, has defied the odds to establish a successful fruit farm.

His lush fruit garden hosts all kinds of fruits, including bananas, mangoes, paw paws, oranges, and avocados.

“I knew from the beginning that agriculture was the only way to secure a future for my family. I wake up every morning, not just to tend to my crops, but to ensure that my children have a future they can rely on. Without agriculture, we wouldn’t have food, and we certainly wouldn’t be able to make a living,” he said as quoted by Farmers Trend.

Ouma’s journey into farming began more than a decade ago when he made the conscious decision to invest his family’s land in agriculture. At the time, the idea of fruit farming wasn’t widely embraced in his village, as many believed food crops like maize and beans were the only viable options for subsistence farming.

However, he saw an opportunity in fruit cultivation and decided to take a different path. He started by planting mangoes, paw paws, oranges and avocados.

These fruits, he knew, would not only feed his family but also provide him with a steady income if he could master the art of fruit farming.

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The farmer, however, admits that the journey has not been a walk in the park given the multiple challenges including bad seeds, unpredictable weather patterns, pests, and diseases.

“I knew there would be struggles ahead, but I believed in the potential of fruit farming…It was a gamble at first, but one that I was willing to take. I wanted to build a future that was sustainable, where my children wouldn’t have to rely on buying food from the market or migrating to urban centres in search of employment.”

One of the ways he protects his produce from being wiped out by pests is through organic farming where he uses natural fertilizers, compost, and crop rotation.

Organic farming further protects his produce from harmful chemicals ensuring the fruits he sells are safe for consumption.

“I believe that we have a responsibility to take care of the environment. We cannot keep using harmful chemicals that pollute the land and the water. Organic farming may take longer, but in the long run, it’s better for everyone – my family, my community, and the planet,” Ouma adds.

With the advancing technology, Ouma is eyeing modern technology to expand the land under cultivation, further boosting his income.

One of the ways he plans to do this is by introducing new irrigation systems that would allow him to grow more fruits throughout the year, even during dry spells.

“I have been researching different irrigation methods and have started to experiment with drip irrigation. It’s more efficient and will help me produce more fruit, even in the dry season. This is the future of farming,” he says.

Ouma also plans to explore other technological tools, such as weather forecasting apps and farm management software, to help him make more informed decisions about planting and harvesting times.

“I’ve learned that farming is not just about planting and waiting for crops to grow; it’s about understanding your land, your crops, and the climate. It’s about being in tune with nature,” he explains.