This archive report was first published on 26 September 2021.
Published on September 26, 2021, in Murang'a County, Kenya, rice farming is gaining popularity among local farmers.
Phillis Njeri, a 40-year-old farmer, is one of the many who have switched from maize and beans farming to rice cultivation. She initially leased a one-acre piece of land in Kimathi area, which is susceptible to seasonal flooding, and planted rice in 2019.
"They were reaping huge returns and I got interested in the venture as well. I quit planting maize and beans which were no longer tenable," Njeri observed.
With the help of the county government, which connected the area with water for irrigation in 2016, Njeri's livelihood has improved significantly. She now earns over Sh120,000 at every harvest season, an amount that has helped improve her family's well-being.
Njeri advises locals to take advantage of the irrigation water and venture into rice farming, citing its high returns and underutilized market.
"Rice is widely consumed, is easy to grow and manage, as long as there is water for irrigation," Njeri observed.
With the right conditions and equipment, rice farming can be a lucrative venture for farmers in Murang'a County.
