A former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) clerk after leaving the job in 2017 invested Sh20,000 in pawpaw farming, a venture which is currently earning him between Sh50,000-80,000 in every month.
Moffat Ondieki worked for the electoral body on a temporary basis in the past general election period as a clerk at Gucha Constituency in Kisii County, a job which he used to earn Sh1,200 per day the money he saved its better part.
“I had to do my savings well as the contract was within the electoral period. Though by the time I did not know what I would have used the money for, farming could have been my best option as I have had the passion since my childhood,” said Ondieki.
After 2017 elections he spent Sh7,000 on land preparation and other labour, Sh3,000 on seeds and about Sh2,800 on 50kg of fertiliser. The rest would be used in planting and weeding which takes Sh5,000 every time the farm is weedy.
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By April 2018, he started planting from the nursery the seedlings on a one acre family land. Within a month he had planted over 500 seedlings.
“I had timed the onset of the long rains to plant the fruits as they need more water to establish during the planting period. April being the onset of the long-rains was therefore an ideal period,” said Ondieki.
After one year, the maturity period of the fruits, Mokaya would start harvesting his first crops after every three months leaving them enough time to increase in number.
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His challenges include pests that attack his crops mainly during early stages, which force him to spend a lot of money on pesticides.
Bad roads that may see him transport the fruits to Daraja Mbili Market in Kisii Town is also another challenge hence he invites trader to his farm to avoid transport expenses.
“I have resorted to orders by small business people such as ‘mama mboga’ who place their demand when I am harvesting then come to pick the fruits for market,” said Ondieki.
He harvests a tortal of 1,000 fruits every month which he sell at between Sh50-80 per fruit depending on demand and supply. This translates to at least Sh50,000 gross income per month.
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Ondieki is now thinking of increasing the acreage under the crop and also venture into other short-term maturing crops which are also easy to transport for quick and more cash.