A farmer in Nyeri is minting money from growing a rose-scented herb used to make perfumes.
Charles Kanyoni has been growing geranium for two years in Kiamathaga, Naromoru, in Nyeri.
He said the herb is perennial and it is sought after for its essential oil. It is scientifically known as pelargonium graveolens.
Kanyoni has planted the crop on a quarter of an acre, which he said can produce four to five tonnes. A kilo of the crop sells at Sh12.50.
With a good harvest, he said, a farmer can make close to Sh60,000 from a quarter acre.
Kanyoni said he made Sh35,000 from his last harvest.
The farmer said he has entered into a contract with a local herb exporter who is located two kilometres from his farm.
Geranium farming in Kenya started in 2017 and most companies that buy it have entered into contract farming with growers, mainly around Mt Kenya.
“The crop only requires a little water and a farmer is assured of a good harvest. One does not require much input, all you need is the seed and some manure. There is also minimal use of pesticides,” Kanyoni said.
He spoke during a farmers’ field day in Naromoru, Kieni East, in Nyeri county.
Kanyoni said he gets planting materials from the company he has entered into a contract with.
Geranium matures after four to six months and it produces at least four times a year.
"It is a good business and it is a promising plant. We get the seedlings in the form of credit and you pay Sh2 per plant and they deduct the money once you have harvested and sold your produce. You can do 12,000 seedlings in one acre and you will harvest them for about six years before replenishing,” he said.
Kanyoni said the area has experienced a drought for two years forcing him to use irrigation.
He said one can get better returns if they use irrigation.
Kanyoni said farmers can harvest three times if they have enough water but without water, they can harvest twice in a season.
He said farmers who are growing the crop are making good money.
The main challenge is lack of water, which means a farmer will not be able to harvest much.
Kanyoni said he has used the proceeds to take care of his family and pay school fees.
Horticulture Crops Directorate senior officer in Nyeri Friday Mugambi said farmers in the region have started growing herbs as they have a ready market.
She said there are individual exporters who buy the produce from the farmers. HCD comes in to issue export licences after a rigorous process and one must meet the minimum requirement for export.
“You can export from your farm or you can contract farmers. HCD and the Nyeri government support farmers in witnessing the contracts between the farmers and the exporters,” Mugambi said.
She said Nyeri county is encouraging herb farming.
“We have exporters in Naromoru who have contracted farmers within Solio Ranch and the region. We normally recommend that they have a contract because most of the farmers do not know how to utilise the crop locally. Through the contract, the exporters are able to get the volumes that they are able to export in the market,” Mugambi said.
She said there is a lot of herb production in Nyeri county because the weather is conducive and most of the land has not been fully utilised.
“Most of the producers are able to have irrigation infrastructure. Water is essential for the production of herbs and the water in the area is fresh. Exporters also take advantage of the proximity of Nyeri to Nairobi,” Mugambi said.
She said another advantage is that the production of herbs is not as challenging as that of vegetables and other food crops.
Most herbs repel insects and so a farmer doesn’t have to use a lot of pesticide, she said.
"Labour force is minimal and there is a ready market. There is also a ready market and HCD connects the farmers with exporters and there is that continuous production,” Mugambi said.
Edited by A.N