Smart way to farm: Why dam liners are gaining popularity

Lucy Makena, system technician at Instefast company offering dam liners for vertical gardens showcasing dam liners at the company demo farm in Nyeri [Purity Mwangi, Standard]

Dam liners have gained popularity for their versatile use, as more farmers begin utilising them not only to create fish ponds but also to build vertical multi-story gardens.

In response to this trend, farmers from the Mt Kenya region continue to receive training on how to use dam liners to construct vertical gardens, allowing them to grow crops for sustainable food production and commercial purposes.

The technology has attracted many because it does not require a traditional farm, minimises space, reduces labour, and saves time since the garden does not require weeding.

During the Wambugu Agriculture Training Center’s annual field day, Instefast system technician Lucy Makena demonstrated to farmers how to maximise their farming spaces at home using multi-story gardens made from dam liners.

“The gardens are made from recycled dam liners, constructing a multi-story garden with five or more layers,” Makena explained.

She added that the layers decrease in size as they go up to manage the weight of the garden and provide space for the plants to grow.

“When setting up the garden, a farmer needs to establish the diameter using the dam liner, then fill it with soil well-mixed with manure, preferably goat or chicken manure. Follow the same procedure at the center for the second layer, and repeat until the last layer,” the technician explained.

She advised that while planting, bulky plants should occupy the bottom layer, while less bulky ones should be placed on the top layers to balance the garden’s weight.

“The garden can be arranged with spinach at the bottom, followed by cabbage, carrots, and onions at the top,” Makena said.

She highlighted the advantages of this technology, including increased yields in a small space.

“A one-meter by one-meter diameter with a 2.5-meter circumference costs Sh1,500. It can last up to 20 years and support three planting seasons before needing to be rebuilt,” Makena said.

She added that the ratio of manure to soil should be one-to-one, and irrigation should be done in the morning and evening.

The technician noted that drip irrigation is preferable and mentioned that the company offers a package that includes drip irrigation and dam liners for Sh2,000, along with a 100-liter tank and technical assistance to farmers.

Makena said this technology will improve food security, noting that on a 10 by 10 plot, a farmer can set up eight structures using this method.

“A farmer planting spinach or sukuma wiki in one garden can harvest 1,000 pieces, earning Sh500 daily. This is economically sustainable for small-scale farmers with limited space,” she said.

Makena also mentioned that the technology requires less water and uses natural weed control methods.

She encouraged the youth to embrace this technology as a means of earning income, emphasizing that it requires minimal space and can start with at least two gardens.

Crop developer and farm manager at Wambugu Agriculture, John Wambugu, said that the technology will enhance agribusiness.

He added that when land is limited, farmers should use available technology to improve productivity and enhance food security.

“Currently, there are more mouths to feed than there are farmers producing enough to meet demand. Multi-story gardens are one of the solutions to bridge this gap,” Wambugu said.

The crop developer urged the public to embrace drought-resistant crops.

David Kariuki, the principal of Wambugu Agriculture Training Center, said that upcoming farming technologies will especially help small-scale farmers increase productivity.

He noted that farms are shrinking to make way for settlements, especially in Nyeri, highlighting the need to adopt other farming methods, including vertical gardens.

Lucy Mumbi, a small-scale farmer from Thunguma village in Nyeri County, said during a visit to the demo farm that the gardens are well-suited for kitchen gardens and can help sustain small-scale farmers’ meals as they cope with the high cost of living.