Siaya’s 'Garden of Eden' where unwanted water hyacinth is gold

Charles Okoth Onyango, a farmer at Dala Rieko in Asembo Bay, Siaya County uses water hyacinth as a manure. PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD

For fishermen and people living around Lake Victoria, water hyacinth is the greatest evil ever to befall the large water body. Nothing good can come out of this weed, they say.

But to a community organisation in Asembo Bay, Siaya County, the water hyacinth is a gold mine waiting to be exploited. With the help of a Norwegian philanthropist, water hyacinth has been put into good use to enhance food production and generate income.

At Dala Rieko — Luo for a home of knowledge — locals are taught to use readily available resources to practise smart farming at their farms.

Tor Raffoss, the centre’s founder, calls it the Garden of Eden because of its blossoming plants. “We believe in using organic fertilisers. We discovered that water hyacinth can be used to conserve soil and boost fertility,” he says.

The organisation thrives on converting a despised plant into a highly sought after manure.

“The area where Dala Rieko sits on was an abandoned building used to produce biomass several years ago. Before we came in in 2008 to start the community organisation, fishermen used it as a bhang smoking zone while women used it to brew illicit drinks,” Raffos says.

But now, Dala Rieko is a haven for farmers from villages bordering Asembo Bay, students (local and international) and global organisations.

“I started the centre to help locals embrace organic farming and provide food and income for people living with HIV/Aids,” he says.

Organic fertiliser

Raffos’ local pointman Alex Omino says the centre’s plan is to produce organic fertiliser for sale to other farmers.

“We harvest and convert the water hyacinth into compost manure. We have partnered with Jaramogi Oginga University of Science and Technology, Rotuba and Kentainers to get certification of organic manure which we will produce and sell to local farmers to enhance their production,” Omino says.

The weed is first dried then mixed with maize stalks, decomposed cow dung and top soil, says Collins Awandu, a trainer at the centre.

“We also add wood ash to act as a catalyst and a source of potassium. Maize stalks are used for water infiltration while dry grass is a good source of humus,” says Awandu.

Water hyacinth is a great source of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium whether in dry or fresh form.

“After nine weeks, the composed manure is ready for use in the farm. After every three weeks, we turn the manure and insert a rod diagonally to test temperature. If temperatures are high, we add water,” he says.

The centre trains farmers on how to improve yields and maintain good soil capacity. Maize, fruits (passion, tissue culture bananas) and traditional vegetables are planted here for demonstration purposes.

“Our first strategy is to come up with experimental gardens where locals can learn from and roll out similar projects in their homesteads,” says Awandu.

Their centre’s main aim is to encourage locals to embrace smart farming.

“We encourage people to practise smart agriculture in this arid place. We teach them soil and water conservation, and how to plant crops that are drought resistant like the Nerrica rice, cassava and sorghum,” he says.

Thanks to the centre, locals have discovered another unexploited weed in the region -  aloe vera.

Dala Rieko has introduced to the area two varieties of the plant — Aloe Vera Barberdencia and Aloe Vera Gravella — which are good sources of gel.

“The two varieties do not need a lot of water and can survive under drought. We encourage farmers who live far from a water source to plant it,” says Awandu.

Gel from the plant has been found to be good in eradicating skin rushes and stomach aches. To treat stomach upsets, the plant is first dried and boiled before it is taken.

Electronic industry

“We get Aloe Vera Babadensia from South Nyanza. Aloe Vera Gravella is sourced from Canada. We only buy the circuses at Sh50. It takes six months for the plant to mature,” says Awandu.

The centre’s long term plan is to set up a small scale electronic industry to process the gel from the plants for commercial purposes.

Moringa is also grown at Dala Rieko. Oil from moringa seeds is used in foods, perfume, hair care products and as a machine lubricant. It is one of the plants highly favoured at the “home of knowledge” due to its medicinal properties.

The leaves are dried under a shade, crushed into powder form and used by patients suffering from diabetis or ulcers.

Moringa can also be cooked as vegetable. Its flowers are edible and rich in proteins.

The centre also runs two fish ponds and a poultry farm.

To ensure a constant supply of water for its crops, the centre has a solar powered irrigation system that sources its water from Lake Victoria.

The water is then pumped into storage tanks that support the irrigation system through drip irrigation. The centre provides tree seedlings to locals to encourage environmental conservation.