Stephen Kibathi, a farmer in Kinari, Kiambu County made it big in vegetable farming after quitting his carpentry job which earned him Sh35 per day three decades ago.
The farmer embarked on farming, a journey that saw him become the leading supplier of vegetables at the Soko Mjinga market along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
He grows kale, spinach, and cabbages on a one-and-quarter-acre farm and makes at least Sh3,000 in a day from the sale of sukuma wiki and spinach.
Kibathi explained that after every two weeks, he sells 60 bags of 50kg of spinach and Sukuma making between Sh1,000 and Sh2,000 per bag.
“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,” says Kibathi.
How to get deal to supply vegetables and fruits to supermarkets
His farm also hosts cabbages which are mainly destined to a school in the area and the remaining pieces are sold to traders in the region.
To cut on production and to ensure the vegetables are safe for consumption, Kibathi uses homemade organic manure.
“It took me three years for the biodigester to be operational and since then, I have been able to save a lot of money from buying manure. ” says the farmer.
“Earlier I used 18 tonnes of manure which is about four lorries in a year. A lorry of manure was going for Sh35,000, so I have been able to save almost Sh140,000,” he added.
Besides vegetable farming, he doubles up as a seedling grower and seller, bringing him a decent income in addition to what he gets from vegetable sales.
“So far it is a good venture and I make close to Sh100,000 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 commercialize vegetable farming,” says Kibathi
