I learnt proper farming the hard way, says lecturer

University of Nairobi lecturer and Embu County Education Board chairman Dr James Kanya at his farm in Kiambindu area of Mbeere North, Embu County. He farms tomatoes and watermelons. (Joseph Muchiri, Standard)

Dr James Kanya was among educationists and academicians presiding over the graduation ceremony at St Augustine Teachers College in Embu, last month. He was dressed for the occasion in neat academic regalia.

A few hours later, Dr Kanya had a change of clothes and was donning his farming gear -- and he was at his farm in Kiambindu, seven kilometres away tending to water melons and tomato at various levels of maturity.