With diminishing agricultural land and a rapidly expanding concrete jungle, the county government of Kiambu has distributed greenhouses to farmer’s groups in a bid to ensure there is enough food.

So far, the administration has given greenhouses to 80 groups from across the county in a project that will cost Sh32 million.

County Crop Officer Rosemary Nyamu says each greenhouse costs Sh375,000 and was fully paid for by the county department of agriculture, which also provides technical support to the beneficiaries.

The county also provides farmers with seedlings, chemicals, spraying gear and, once the crops are ready for harvesting, it will help to market their produce.

Thika Crops Officer John Karie, his Kiambu counterpart Rosemary Nyamu, and the Ruku Dairy Goat Self-Help Group’s William Gathungu and Patrick Njogu at the group’s greenhouses in Wangige, Kiambu County. (PHOTO: JOHN KARUME/STANDARD)

The Ruku Dairy Goats Self-Help Group of Wangige in Kabete sub-county is such one beneficiary.

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Through the help of Governor William Kabogo and Agriculture County Executive Monica Waiganjo, Ruku got a greenhouse.

“We formed the group years ago and had invested in table banking and stocks in the Nairobi Securities Exchange. When we heard that the county government was launching a greenhouse project, we took up the challenge,” says Patrick Njogu, the group’s coordinator.

The group, which has 24 members, harvested its first produce in March and continues to harvest the crop every week. They expect to harvest more tomatoes in another two months.

“When we started to harvest our produce, we would get 180 kilogrammes of tomatoes, but this has declined to 100 kilos per harvest,” adds Njogu.

Farmer training

Again, through the help of Governor Kabogo, the group secured a market for their crop at the Nakumatt store. It also supplies the nearby Wangige market .

“We only pay Sh100 as transport fee to Wangige market,” says Florence Wangui, the group’s secretary.

In four months, Ruku has saved Sh107,000, and hopes to double savings in the next two months.

The county provided a specialist who trained the 24 members on how to take care of the crop. The trainer visits the group every Wednesday.

Dr Waiganjo, an insect specialist, has authored several agricultural booklets which have been distributed to farmers.

To save on water for irrigation, the county offered a water tank of 400 litres to every group. Members of Riku say the project has helped them pay school fees and start small businesses.