This archive report was first published on 12 August 2019.
In 2014, Robert Kiama, a 35-year-old from Nairobi, took a bold step by leaving his job as a dental technologist at a hospital to try his hand in business. He started by selling farm produce in the city during his leave.
Initially, Kiama sold potatoes he procured from Narok county, making his first Sh20,000 two weeks into the business. Encouraged by the good proceeds, he diversified into selling vegetables, which yielded higher returns.
After returning to work, Kiama tendered his resignation and started selling vegetables in different parts of Nairobi. He quit the dentist job to pursue a career in farming, earning Sh100,000 in a month, compared to his previous salary of Sh60,000.
Today, Kiama has employed four people to help him with deliveries and has met a friend, Zachary Wanjau, who shares his interest in farming. Together, they have planted different crops on 12 acres of land they leased in Laikipia in 2015.
The farm, which has added cereals such as lentil, chick peas, green grams, black beans, and giant beans, has faced challenges like water scarcity and invasion by wildlife. Despite these challenges, Kiama and Wanjau are focusing on contract farming and educating about 27 farmers on transforming farming into a profitable venture.
