This archive report was first published on 28 December 2019.
Published on December 28, 2019, by SHABAN MAKOKHA, a renowned author.
Retired professionals in Mumias have discovered a new source of income in pawpaw farming, a venture that has proven to be more profitable than sugarcane farming.
Mr. Silas Lutomia, a former employee of the Kenya Forest Research Institute, and retired teacher Francis Mubatsi have taken the lead in introducing over 2,000 farmers in Mumias West, Mumias East, Matungu, and parts of Butere to pawpaw farming.
Mr. Lutomia, who began growing pawpaw two years ago, has seen significant profits from the venture. He told Seeds Of Gold that he earns more from pawpaw farming than he did from sugarcane farming.
"I began growing pawpaw two years ago. I can’t compare what I’m making to what I used to get when growing sugarcane. I wish I had started early," Mr. Lutomia said.
Mr. Lutomia and Mr. Mubatsi have opted for the Malkia F1 improved variety of pawpaw, which has a faster germination period and yields fruits within three months.
Mr. Lutomia helps farmers prepare their lands, advising them to dig a hole two feet deep and space the trees five feet apart. He also recommends applying manure and light soil after 21 days.
Mr. Lutomia has seen significant profits from his pawpaw farm, earning Sh160,000 in just four months from a 50x100ft plot. He now has over 1,000 seedlings on a five-acre piece and supplies seedlings to farmers from as far as Siaya, Nairobi, Kitui, Tanzania, and Ghana.
Mr. Mubatsi, who started growing papaya in 2018, has also seen success in the venture. He has 500 trees on a one-acre piece and plans to expand the trade, making Kenya a key exporter of the fruit.
"We intend to expand pawpaw trade and make Kenya a key exporter of the fruit. There is a large market for papaya. Most fruits consumed locally are from Uganda," Mr. Mubatsi said.
