Life took an unexpected turn for Amos Morori after completing secondary school. His dream of becoming the first engineer from his village was hindered by financial constraints. However, undeterred by these setbacks, Morori found an alternative path that eventually led him to becoming a millionaire farmer, transforming not only his life but also his village.
After leaving school, Morori took on the role of a herder, looking after his family’s livestock in the sun-baked plains of Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet County. To support his younger siblings’ education, he started cultivating kales, which helped him cover their school fees.
However, the harsh heat and erratic weather prompted him to pivot toward a new agricultural venture. This marked the beginning of Morori’s successful journey into watermelon farming. The fruit was well-suited to the Kerio Valley’s semi-arid conditions, with its high yield, fast growth, and strong market demand, making it an ideal choice.
Within two years, Morori went from a hopeful farmer to the first millionaire in his village, earning over Ksh1.5 million from watermelon farming. His success made him a key figure in Chepsigot village.
Starting with just 40,000 Kenyan Shillings, Morori convinced his father to sell a few cattle to fund the venture. He transformed their land by the River Kerio into a flourishing watermelon farm, beginning with one acre and expanding to 10 acres as his ambitions grew. The volcanic soil of the Kerio Valley, combined with the high temperatures and ample water supply from the river, created a perfect environment for watermelon farming.
Morori’s innovative farming methods, including the use of trenches to capture water from the river, reduced irrigation costs, making the process more sustainable. His choice of the Sukari F1 watermelon variety, known for its tough rind and resistance to pests, paid off, yielding between 30 to 40 tonnes per acre, leading to impressive profits.
“In just two and a half months, I harvested 30 tonnes of watermelon, earning over Sh800,000. Depending on the season, we sell them for between Sh14 and Sh30 per kilo,” Morori shares. After deducting expenses, his profit was consistently over Ksh500,000. His disciplined financial management, including careful monitoring of expenses such as seeds, labor, irrigation, and fertilizers, which amounted to between 50,000 and 70,000 Kenyan Shillings per acre, ensured his venture remained profitable.
Beyond financial success, watermelon farming brought additional benefits. With over 92% water content, the fruit is highly hydrating and packed with vitamins A, C, and B6, potassium, amino acids, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients, enhancing its appeal due to its health benefits.
Despite his success, Morori faced challenges, particularly diseases like leaf spot, powdery mildew, and blight, which required careful management. Additionally, fluctuating watermelon prices, influenced by middlemen, posed a major hurdle. Prices could rise to 35 Kenyan Shillings per kilo during peak seasons but drop drastically to as low as 10 Kenyan Shillings in the off-seasons, often leaving farmers vulnerable to exploitation.
Through it all, Morori’s resilience and innovation not only brought financial prosperity but also paved the way for a new era in his village, proving that even in the face of adversity, determination and strategic thinking can lead to success.
