Byron Ngeny, a lover of urban farming enthusiast, thrives in Nkoroi area of Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County. He is not only a passionate gardener but also installs urban gardens for prospective farmers.
Ngeny, a family man, says ever since he was young, he has found himself conscious of green natural spaces.
"I find the urban concrete jungle dull and unattractive, especially the stone walls and cabro floors. Having some green spaces brings a sense of serenity. You create your own heaven through gardening. Gardening is a way to relax and free up your mind. After a long busy day in these urban areas, gardening can give you that required relaxation. Studies have shown that gardening may reduce stress and mental health issues," he says.
According to Ngeny, urban farmers can choose different types of gardening depending on available spaces, size of the garden and other factors. The idea is to utilise small spaces to create an economically viable venture.
The pricing varies for each client depending on size and type of garden required. This can either be vertical, tower farming, a hanging wall-garden or one on the rooftop. Ngeny says while some of these spaces are easy and cheap to establish, others need more time and materials.
Ngeny says once a client has sought installation, he surveys the site. Then he has to determine the type of garden that is ideal for the client. He has to get the required materials, including PVC pipes, especially for a tower or wall garden, rolls of rubber sheets if it is a vertical garden and or containers for hanging gardens. Then he finds the right type of soil and manure and seedlings.
"The key consideration before all these processes is the site because the plants would require some sunlight and water," he says.
On a good month, Ngeny gets a minimum of 10 clients, mostly home owners and corporates, who need urban gardens installed on their compounds. He earns an average of Sh50,000.
"I'd say I have interacted with people from all walks of life, seeking assistance on urban farming. We have some who want to save some shilling, others that just want healthy and organically grown vegetables while some just love green spaces," he says.
Ngeny gets most of his clients through referrals and advertisement on social media. His advice to those interested in urban farming is to "start, have passion and everything will fall in place".
Ngeny says there is need to sensitise urban dwellers to increase urban farming due to health concerns. "Urban gardens are small and manageable, hence one can dictate the type of soil or pest solutions. For instance, an organic farm uses home remedy organic spray mixture.
He says teaching urbanites to use available resources for homegrown crops and vegetables will help reduce the consumption of sewage aided food crops and vegetables common in urban areas.
"There are many urbanites consuming vegetables grown in the sewage, and this is not safe. Sewage is a mixture of different wastewater from homes and institutions, some which dispose hazardous waste, which eventually gets to the plants and is consumed by us.
"All waste water must be treated before reuse," Ngeny said.
To encourage more urbanites to engage in urban farming, Ngeny advocates for a policy or some sort of regulation that requires setting aside a 10 per cent green space on each urban plot.
According to him, this will not only make the urban space beautiful but also habitable with clean air, and a constant supply of food.
