Gilad Milo, a musician, rose to fame in Kenya through his hit song “Unajua,” featuring Wendy Kimani. The romantic track quickly gained popularity on YouTube, amassing over 8 million views. Kenyans were intrigued by the fact that Gilad, a foreigner, could sing fluently in Swahili, finding it both amusing and impressive.
Despite his skyrocketing music career, Gilad has never considered himself a specialist in any one field. Throughout his life, he has dabbled in various professions, including writing, public relations, diplomacy, and singing. He firmly believes that individuals are not bound to just one pursuit in life.
Gilad’s journey to success can be attributed to his involvement as a partner in the flourishing Ole Raha garlic farm in Kajiado County. Starting from scratch, they diligently prepared the land by clearing it, analyzing the soil, plowing, and implementing drip irrigation.
According to Gilad, meticulous attention to detail is crucial for achieving success as a farmer. Garlic thrives in warm, sunlit areas with regular watering, especially during the initial two months. He exclusively uses fully developed bulbs as seed, ensuring rapid plant germination. At Ole Raha Farm, they cultivate two varieties of garlic: Rwanda Giant and Africa Giant. After approximately four months, the garlic is ready for harvest.
Potential threats to the farm’s yield include pests and diseases. Gilad emphasizes the need for regular inspections and the application of pesticides to protect the crops. While garlic is a robust plant, its leaves may be devoured by red ants, which can be effectively eliminated using common pesticides.
Gilad estimates that the investment required for garlic farming ranges between Ksh 300,000 and Ksh 350,000. The most significant expense lies in the drip irrigation system, which can cost up to $165,000. However, a successful harvest could yield up to 4 tons of garlic, with each kilogram fetching 150 Kenyan Shillings in the market, resulting in a substantial profit of Ksh 600,000.
Due to a thriving local market, Gilad primarily sells his garlic within Kenya. In recent years, Ole Raha Farm has expanded its operations by providing garlic seeds to other farms. Additionally, they have plans to venture into the garlic paste industry in the near future, further expanding their business endeavors.
