This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
On a 11-acre farm in Msumarini, Kilifi County, a unique approach to agriculture is yielding impressive results. The farm, managed by Francis Lorot Emurai, has diversified its operations to include horticulture and apiary, using sisal waste as organic fertilizer.
According to Emurai, the idea of using sisal waste as fertilizer started in November 2018, after realizing its potential in growing vegetables and fruits. The process involves extracting the waste from sisal leaves, passing it through clean water, and then leaving it to rot in a lagoon for 10 years.
"We had used the waste as organic fertilizer on flower beds and trees and realised it could be tried on other crops," Emurai said.
The farm has invested Sh130,000 in the project, which has seen the growth of various crops including yellow passion, brinjals, sweet potatoes, spinach, kales, tomatoes, amaranth, and black shades. The farm relies on three permanent workers and hires casuals when needed.
One of the challenges facing horticulture in Kilifi is high temperatures, which can cause crops to wither quickly. To combat this, the farm uses boiled neem leaf liquid to control tomato blight and mulching to retain moisture in the sandy soil.
The farm has also introduced beekeeping, with 320 langstroth hives on neem and baobab trees. The bees not only pollinate the crops but also produce honey, with 200 kilogrammes harvested in the past five months.
"We realised that to get more yields, we needed pollinators. The bees also give us honey," Emurai said.
Dr. Hemedi Saha Mkuzi, a crop expert from Pwani University, agrees that soil analysis is crucial before planting. "Most farmers do not replenish their soil after harvest, diminishing their subsequent yields," he said.
