Residents of a part of lower Murang’a in Gaturi area in Kiharu long associated with abnormal floods are heading to a bright future after introduction of two valuable crops.
The area has been turned into thriving rice fields as areas on the higher ground got a boost in newly introduced sunflower farming.
Retired military man Martin Kabuti has been playing a key role in converting parts of Gakonya area being l into rice fields through mobilising the youth majority including boda boda operators to grow Kenya Fedha variety of sunflower.
Kabuti retired from the military in 2012 after he served for 17 years mostly stationed in Nanyuki and Nairobi and where he got interested in sunflower farming.
“I have watched the youth spending idle hours on the road as lands in lower Kiharu remained fallow. That is how I concieved the idea to introduce high-value crops that require less water,” said Kabuti.
Jane Njeri is one of the youths who have planted the sunflower hoping to use the same in manufacturing of livestock feed.
“Am interested to learn about the value addition process and I will make money from the feeds. In the past two years we sold rice husks to the livestock farmers at Sh150 per bale,” said Njeri.
Samson Karanja said Kabuti had motivated many of the youth to venture into farming, instead of spending more hours idling at the market centres.
“There is a need for the local leaders to support the youth to face the future with courage as lower parts of Murang’a are dry,” said Karanja adding that some of the youth are engaged in sand harvesting after dropping out of school.
Kabuti is among several of the investors who established business premises along Gakonya-Mukurwe ini road after it was tarmacked attracting passengers along the stretch.
“Over 120 acres of land is under rice farming and now determined to assist the youth to plant sunflowers which are in high demand in the production of livestock and chicken feed,” said Kabuti.
County Agriculture Executive Albert Mwaniki said the lower areas are ideal for several crops including sunflower.
“The lower parts are fertile thus need for the locals to liaise with the agriculture extension officers to establish the best crops to be planted,” said Mwaniki.
The county executive said the introduction of rice farming in the locality has accelerated the growth and establishment of market centres between Gakonya and Kigetu ini in Kimathi division.
“ We have rice milling premises some relocated from Mwea areas after hundreds of farmers moved to Murang’a following availability of plenty of water,” said Mwaniki.
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