This archive report was first published on 21 September 2019.
Located in Butere, Kakamega County, Lunza Primary School has become a hub for innovative farming techniques, inspiring farmers in the surrounding area.
Under the guidance of Imbayi, the 4K Club members have successfully planted a variety of crops, including tomatoes, maize, orange-flesh sweet potatoes, sunflower, Nerica (upland) rice, sorghum, fodder, and indigenous vegetables.
On July 1, the school hosted a farmers' field day, where pupils showcased the diverse crops that can thrive in the region, apart from maize and sugar cane. The event was attended by a good number of residents, including parents of the pupils.
Inside the 18-by-30ft greenhouse, the pupils have planted 300 tomatoes of the Silka variety, which performs well in the region. The greenhouse was established with the help of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, who trained the club members and Imbayi on various agronomic practices in January.
The school has also been provided with two water tanks, one with a capacity of 5,000 litres and the other with 500 litres, which are filled with water from a borehole on the school's premises.
Imbayi notes that Kephis and various seed companies were impressed by the school's farming activities and decided to help them establish the greenhouse and demo farms, including a sunflower farm.
Before planting the tomatoes, the pupils prepared a seedbed raised 15cm from the ground, ensuring the soil was fine and then planted seeds, mulched, and watered. The seeds sprouted after eight to 10 days and were ready for transplanting in three weeks.
The tomatoes were planted on April 15, and the pupils have so far harvested over 20 crates, which they supply to the nearby Lunza Secondary School at Sh2,000 a crate.
Proceeds from the farm are used to buy uniforms and support needy students through secondary school.
However, the pupils face challenges such as white flies, which attack the leaves and interfere with photosynthesis. Dr. Bernard Towett, a plant breeder at Egerton University, notes that white flies can attack various crops, including beans, onions, and tomatoes.
Dr. Towett also mentions that most white flies have gained resistance to common pesticides, but there are chemicals available that can eliminate them.
