The policy ‘practice what you preach’ has become a way of life for Patrick Mwai from Gathehu village in Nyeri County.
Three years ago, Mwai was a salesman selling Effective Micro-organisms (EM) technology, a new approach in farming borrowed from Japan where micro organisms are used instead of chemicals like fertilisers and pesticides. EM technology is spearheaded by EM Technology Ltd, a factory based in Embu town.
“I had received training on EM technology and afterwards I was expected to sell the idea to farmers,” Mwai says.
The challenge was that he had never used the product and neither was he a farmer and so it was difficult convincing his customers that the technology works.
He was not able to give any practical demonstration or proof of the benefits of using microorganisms to boost the yields of both crops and livestock. He, therefore, decided to try a farming venture so that he could be more convincing when selling the technology.
“From my savings, I bought a four acre piece of land in Gathehu village and I decided to start farming various crops such as passion fruits, arrowroots maize, and French beans. I used the technology on the farm and was amazed by the yield,” he tells 'Smart Harvest'. EM technology involves using approximately 80 different micro-organisms, which are ‘friendly’ bacteria to boost natural processes like decomposing organic matter (manure) such that it reverts into a ‘life promoting’ process.
This is how EM technology works:
The technology is packaged in liquid form filled with good natural bacteria. A farmer pours a small amount of the liquid, which is bought from an agrovet, in a compost heap to speed up the decomposing process in a safe and natural way.
He then uses this ‘reloaded manure’ on his crops to increase yields.
“I used the manure on my purple and yellow beans and the results are amazing. You cannot compare this manure to chemical fertiliser.”
Being an ‘expert’ in this EM technology, Mwai’s farm has become a demonstration farm in the area.
Mwai has dug three compost heaps, which are about 5-6 feet deep.
Thanks to the EM technology, his French beans have a guaranteed export market.
Mwai has partnered with an international exporting firm, which links him with the abroad market.
“My french yellow and purple beans look more superior than the ordinary ones, that is why they are for export,” Mwai says.
“While the green variety are sold at Sh60 per kg, the purple and yellow variety are sold at Sh80 to Sh 110 per kg,” Mwai discloses.
It takes three months from planting to harvest season, after which he can harvest for up to five to six weeks.
“I harvest the beans twice a week. Each week, I can harvest at least 100 to 200 kgs and I sell each kilo for Sh70, which come to about Sh7,000 a week.”
He harvest the crops at least five times in a season.
“I have three seasons in a year, which means that annually, I can make a minimum of Sh100,000 from the sale of French beans,” Mwai says.
Other than EM technology, another way to to ensure a bumper harvest is practicing rotational farming, says the farmer. He plants different crop on the area where the beans were planted each season.
“French beans are delicate, susceptible to diseases such as rust and mildew, as well as pests like aphids, caterpillars and leaf miners. Rotation ensures an organic way to control the pests and disease.”
To succeed with these beans, Mwai says timing in planting, weeding and manure application is crucial.
“As a French beans farmer, you need to identify the right time to plant, and the appropriate time to spray for pests, or to harvest.”
The beans also need water to thrive, therefore, the rainy season is the best time to plant the seeds. During the dry season, farmers should use irrigation.
“If a farmer is targeting the export market, they should stay away from chemicals and where the EM technology comes in. The international market only accepts produce that has met high international standard like no chemical use,” Mwai says.
On the flipside of farming, the 38-year-old father of three says one of the biggest challenges horticultural farmers face is exploitation from middle men.
“There was a time when farming French beans, especially the green variety was a lucrative venture. Farmers gave up on it because middle men paid them little money even after making huge profit from the export market,” Mwai says.
