Kiambu Institute reaps big profits from indigenous vegetable farming

The  expanding market and demand for indigenous African vegetables presents an opportunity for smallholder farmers in Kiambu County ahead of the October-December short rain season.

Apart from contributing to the county’s food security, Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) is reaping big from this venture despite the erratic weather patterns experienced in the county.

Robert  Korir, the  Farm Manager at the Institute, lamented that farmers are unaware that indigenous vegetables can improve food security in the area since they withstand dry weather spells.

Speaking  on Thursday, Korir said that the Institute grows indigenous vegetables such as the night shade (managu) and cowpeas (kunde) together with other vegetables such as kales, spinach and cabbages.

“Farmers should be aware that these types of vegetables can be grown through mulching, drip farming and can be watered at least once a week,” said the Farm Manager.

He argues that indigenous vegetables have a host of desirable traits: many of them protein rich, vitamins, iron and other nutrients than popular non-native crops such as kale.

On the same score, Korir noted that they are able to endure droughts and pests making the traditional varieties a potent weapon against dietary deficiencies.

Korir encouraged potential farmers to venture into this profitable enterprise adding that the vegetables’ market is ready because many people consume them as their medication and dietary reasons.

The Farm Manager said that scientists are now digging up studies of indigenous vegetables to tap their health benefits and improve them through breeding experiments.

“The hope is that such efforts can make traditional varieties even more popular with farmers and consumers,” he added.

Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture has been working with an international team of researchers to strengthen the value chain for African indigenous vegetables.

Their work began in Western Kenya with a food and farm training program established by the Academic Model Promoting Access to Health Care (AMPATH) health system.

Doctors there knew patients who were well-nourished would respond better to medical treatment for HIV/AIDS, so the programme sought to encourage clients to grow, eat and sell nutritious crops.

Korir disclosed that some of the most common leafy African indigenous vegetables such as amaranth, black nightshade and spider plant as promising crops cultivated at the Institute.

“We realized the potential was enormous to expand African indigenous vegetable production and meet increasing consumer demand, while addressing important nutrition and income deficiencies,” says the Farm Manager.

He called on researchers to address gaps in production practices, seed availability, storage, value addition, market linkages and nutrition.

At  the farm, Korir  sells a kilogram of kunde at Sh. 60; a kilogram for nightshade fetches Sh. 50.

“It’s a good business for farmers to venture into since it only take three months to mature and ready for market, where in black nightshade can be ready for harvest at least four weeks,” he noted.

Korir  urged the youth to venture into farming should as a way of creating job opportunities, eradicate poverty and also as a source of earning money for the upkeep for households.

By  Yobesh Onwong’a/Winfred Machurie