This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
Joshua Olonde, a farmer from Lambwe Valley, Homa Bay County, has found a way to thrive in an area where rain-fed agriculture is no longer reliable. He shifted from maize farming to horticulture and fish farming, earning a significant income.
Olonde's journey began in 2013 when he started fish farming to cushion himself from the losses that came with growing maize. He then transitioned to horticulture after being trained on managing a greenhouse. With an initial investment of Sh10,000, he bought tomato seeds for his greenhouse and earned Sh80,000 from his first harvest in just four months.
Today, Olonde has eight ponds, five of which have fish, and he harvests about 60 crates of tomatoes from his greenhouse. He sells each tomato at an average of Sh2,000 and earns a significant income from his integrated farming method.
However, Olonde's biggest challenge is finding a consistent market for his tomatoes. He is working with a group of farmers to get linkages to customers outside the lake region and even outside the country.
Olonde's story is a testament to the potential of integrated farming and the importance of adapting to changing environmental conditions. He plans to invest in other vegetables and expand his greenhouse to increase his income.
