November 14, 2013. The farmer started growing orphan crops in 2006,when she planted 5 accres of KARI MTAMA 1 by GAA. She was also given pearl millet (PM1) and cow peas (K80).
She harvested 28 bags of sorghum of which she sold 16, and the rest she preserved for her house hold use as food.
She used the proceeds of the 16 bags to buy a bicycle, which she uses to fetch water and other transport needs.
In March 2010, she was given 3 kg of Gadam sorghum and 8 kg of green grams seed (KS20) by the Minstry of Agriculture, Kibwezi ditrict, from which she planted 1 acre of soghum, and 2 acres of green grams. She harvested 3.5 bags of sorghum and sold three bags for 6,800/-, which she used to buy a young bull.
The same time she harvested 2.5 bags of green grams, of which she sold 2,for 25,000/- and the rest she left for food.From the 25,000/- she bought a heifer for 13,000/-, and currently it is almost calfing down. The remaining 12000/= she used to pay school fees for her son who was then in form 4.
In November 2010 she planted 2 acres of green grams after training on husbandry practices, and she has harvested 5 bags. She has already sold two for 17,000/-, and paid college fees for her son.
During the short rains of 2010/2011, the rains were poor, but from what she sold, she managed to build a rocket stove worth 1050/= , plus a solar system worth 1850/= which she uses for lighting and for charging her mobile phone. Today, Mrs Kamonyi is a happy woman, thanks to the orphan crops progamme. Life was never better.
Spill over effects.
Mrs Kamonyi has spread the good news to her neighbours. She has given seed to more than ten individual farmers and and sold to over 100 farmers. She also gave some 8 kg of green gram seed to a Self Help group, Kanini Kaseo, and another 8 kg to Kiten’gei adult class (15 members) and all are gowing and utilizing them. To her brother, she gave 10 kg of seeds , from which he sold 94 kg worth 13,000 shillings, which he used to pay school fees and also pay farm labour.
Farmers’ Future Plans
The farmer plans to expand her acreage of orphan crops, since now she has an oxen plough
She has also diversified by purchasing a cow , which she hopes will further improve her income as well as her family’s nutrition status
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