The agriculture sector remains an untapped goldmine, despite its frequent underestimation by many Kenyans. For those brave enough to venture into this field, the rewards can be immense. One such individual is Vincent Okuku, a Siaya-based farmer who earns Ksh 500,000 per season from Sukuma wiki farming. His remarkable journey demonstrates the untold potential of agriculture, as recounted by The African Torch.
Vincent Okuku’s Journey
Vincent Okuku hails from the rural villages of Siaya County, located in Kenya’s Nyanza region. Raised in a humble household, Okuku faced challenges early in life, including dropping out of Kisumu Boys High School while in Form Two. During an exclusive interview with muranganewspaper, he shared how his first attempts at farming were met with failure. He experimented with tomatoes, cabbages, solanum (osuga), spider plant (dek), and bananas, all of which proved unsuccessful. However, his perseverance led him to discover the potential of Sukuma wiki farming.
Embracing Sukuma Wiki Farming
Okuku’s foray into Sukuma wiki farming was driven by its cost-effectiveness and readily available market. After experimenting with different kale varieties, he settled on a hybrid breed known as Mfalme F1 collards. At Ksh 2,600 for 50 grams of Mfalme seeds, this variety is significantly more expensive than the standard breed, which costs just Ksh 180. Despite the higher initial cost, the Mfalme variety offers notable advantages: it takes just one month in the nursery before transplanting and can be harvested in another month. Unlike regular kales, which can be harvested for only five months, Mfalme F1 kale can be harvested for up to two and a half years, making it a long-term investment.
The Road to Success
Today, Vincent Okuku manages 10,000 stems of Sukuma wiki across five acres of land and plans to expand his venture to 30,000 stems. His success has enabled him to buy several parcels of land, something he never imagined when he started. He also invested in a Honda 5.5 Horse Power generator worth Ksh 45,000 to pump water from Lake Victoria, further enhancing his farming capabilities. Through Sukuma wiki farming, Okuku now earns an average of Ksh 500,000 per season.
His crops are in high demand, and he supplies kales to several local schools. Every Monday, he delivers 40 kg of kales to Raliew Secondary School, while St. Philips Wera Secondary School receives 70 kg weekly, and Ngere High School gets 100 kg per week. At Ksh 30 per kilogram, this generates approximately Ksh 6,300 each week from school sales alone. The profits have not only allowed him to support his niece’s secondary school education but also to establish a shop for his wife at Ralayo Beach.
Diversifying His Farming Portfolio
Beyond Sukuma wiki, Okuku also cultivates tissue culture bananas (Williams and Chinese Dwarfs) and sugarcane on a three-and-a-half-acre plot. He has 230 Williams banana plants and 150 Chinese dwarf varieties, all of which are ready for sale. He harvests the bananas four times a year and sells each bunch for Ksh 350, adding another stream of income to his growing farm.
Vincent Okuku’s story is a testament to the incredible potential of Kenya’s agricultural sector. His journey from a struggling farmer to a successful entrepreneur highlights the rewards that can come from persistence, innovation, and a willingness to invest in one’s passion.
