By Antynet Ford 

A coriander farmer in Kitengela, Kajiado County supplying both local and export markets has managed to increase her yields and reduce her payment risks with seed soaking and sales to brokers for 75% of the payment made in cash before she parts with her crops.

Faith Wanjala began growing coriander in 2016 after finishing high school, but said the early years were poor due to buyers who failed to pay her, and poor germination rates.

“I started as a casual laborer before moving into my own farming. At that time, I did not fully understand the crop and the market. I could plant coriander and a big percentage failed to germinate even when the seeds are not expired,” she said.

When she started soaking the coriander seed in pots of water for a day before planting, germination shot up, from about 65 per cent of the seeds to around 85 per cent.

Crushing the seeds a little also helps, as they have double shells and this helps crack the outer shell.

But even as Faith’s production improved, she kept failing to get payments dealing directly with export buyers, who would take her crop on credit, delay payments for weeks, and eventually default when the amounts had become large.

“This happens especially when you sell to foreigners who say they’ll pay after three weeks or a month. When the money gets to almost a million, they start making their own stories,” she said.

At the same time, unpredictable weather conditions sometimes affected her crop quality, with coriander turning yellow during cold and rainy seasons, often leading to rejection in the market.

It was a double risk that she ended by shifting to selling to brokers on a strict payment rule, requiring at least 75 per cent upfront before the coriander left the farm.

“I sell my products mostly to brokers who sell to different exporters. As long as you ensure 75 per cent is paid first before the produce leaves the farm, it becomes easier,” she said.

This sharply reduced her risks of nonpayment and gave her a constant flow of cash as she supplied large volumes, of 10 to 15 tonnes a week, for export markets.

“Others will always get the produce on credit then start taking you on rounds with your pay. That is why the 75 per cent rule is very important,” she said.

“Some people promise to buy but disappear. If you are not keen, you can lose the whole produce on the farm. Brokers help save the crop at maturity.”

With better payments, Faith has been able to invest in both greenhouse and open-field farming, meaning she can keep producing even when the weather changes.

She has also become an expert in pests, diseases and inputs, on her own, rather than relying on agronomists.

“As a farmer, learn on your own while farming your crops. Some agronomists will advise something that does not work, so it is important to understand your crop first,” she said.

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That has helped her to get into a steady flow, and better planning.

In April 2926, she said, “I have already sold the one for local market and I am remaining with the one for the export market only,” 

But input costs remain a challenge, having more than doubled over the years. Fortunately, coriander needs little fertiliser and thrives in poor soils.

With the germination and payments solved, the only real need with coriander is controlling the crop during cold and rainy season, she said. “If you do not know what to do, you will be disappointed.” But the main answer, she said, was to use extra foliar were it’s wet or cold, and then the leaves don’t yellow.

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