Conservationist who nurtures love for growing garlic

Joseph Mwenja discusses a point with other farmers in his farm in Mau Narok. The entrepreneur says prices of garlic, which he specialises in cultivation, are dictated by supply and demand. PHOTO | PETER CHANGTOEK | NMG

What you need to know:

  • Mwenja’s farm is in Narianta, Mau Narok Sub-County.
  • The consultant says garlic in the market is not standardised.
  • The growing and selling of garlic also has some challenges.
  • The entrepreneur says prices of garlic are dictated by supply and demand.

Joseph Mwenja, 42, left employment in wildlife conservancy to establish an agriculture consultancy company.

He called it Garlic and Pepino Farm Nakuru.

His agribusiness has two divisions; consultancy, which is located at White House, off Nakuru-Nyahururu road and and the farming division, where he grows garlic.

The MBA holder ventured into agribusiness four years ago.

“The farming division started small. It was more of a hobby. After completing my masters degree, I decided to venture into agribusiness, starting with Sh3 million,’’ he says.

Nevertheless, he did poor research and incurred heavy losses.

“It was then that I decided to use my skills and training in business management and ventured into consultancy,’’ he says.

Mwenja’s farm is in Narianta, Mau Narok Sub-County.

The consultuancy division of his company provides various services, including providing advice on farm management, production of treated disease free seeds and telephone support to customers.

In addition, Mwenja links farmers with markets.

RESISTANT TO DISEASES

The consultant says garlic in the market is not standardised.

“The commonly known strains that I plant include Sotik, Moyale, Nyeri and Meru,’’ he says.

The growing and selling of garlic also has some challenges.

The effects of the drought and floods that hit the country some months are still being felt by Mwenja and other farmers.

The entrepreneur says prices of garlic are dictated by supply and demand.

“I try to cushion my clients from fluctuating seed prices but the rains this year left us with no option but to share the increased cost of production with farmers,” Mwenje says.

“The price for pepino melons, are quickly going down.’

To popularise pepino melon farming, Mwenje’s company offers a 50 per cent discount on purchases of 20 seedlings and more.

“Fruits are now going for Sh10 to Sh30,’’ he says.

Garlic is resistant to diseases, though rust has attacked his crop on a few occasions.