MAKING SMART MONEY: HERB FARMING

Nick Smart Farm rakes in profits sustainably out of farming herbs

By Joseph Macharia

Farming of herbs is one of the most profitable yet less capitalized agribusiness in Kenya. The few farmers already doing it are smiling all the way to their banks. Nick Smart Farm in Rironi – Limuru is one such farm where herbs are their ‘cash cows.’

Located approximately thirty kilometers North West of Nairobi, the farm has carved out a niche in farming of herbs such as basil, sage, peppermint, coriander, thyme, rosemary and oregano. Moreover, the farm does propagation of seedlings and horticulture. Since time immemorial our ancestors used herbs for medicinal purposes as well as spices in their primal diet.

With a surge in population and decrease in area under forestation, people can no longer forage herbs in forests like our ancestors. Different herbs thrive in different climatic areas. With the explosive growth of the herbal products industry in the last two decades more people are becoming cognizant of the benefits of herbs.

Nick Smart Farm

Nick Farm started operations in 2021 initially specializing in broccoli, cauliflower and red cabbages. With lapse of time, the farm added five green houses, diversified into herbs and installed a propagation unit with a capacity to propagate about 100,000 seedlings every three weeks.

According to Hillary Tongoi, the farm’s manager among the reasons that prompted them to move into herb farming is availability of market and the aspect of preserving the traditional heritage of herbs. “Apart from availability of market we also wanted to contribute in the preservation of the traditional heritage of herbs but in a modernized way,” Tongoi shared.

Tongoi who holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) notes that herb farming if conducted in a proper way is a lucrative venture

 In seed propagation they use cow or goat manure in their nursery. Accordingly, they mix organic and inorganic farming. When physical, mechanical and non mechanical pest control measures fail, they resort to use pesticides and fungicides as a measure of a last resort.

Basil farming

Basil farming is steadily gaining traction in Kenya especially for export to the European market. Locally, it is used as salad and to add flavour to local delicacies. Favorable climate for growing basil coupled with a growing demand for the herb both locally and internationally makes basil an ideal herb for farmers who want to improve their lot in life.

Generally, basil is a warm-season herb that requires at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day. It can be grown in open fields or in greenhouses. When grown in open fields, the soil should be well-drained and fertile; in greenhouses, the temperature should be maintained at an average of 23 degrees Celsius.

Basil seeds are sown in a nursery before transplanted to the field or in a greenhouse after 4 – 6 weeks. The plants should be spaced about 10 – 15 cm apart. Basil is a relatively low-maintenance crop; however it needs to be watered regularly, especially during hot weather. It also needs to be fertilized every 2-3 weeks.

Sage

Nick farm also farms sage which is an aromatic herb known for its distinct flavor and medicinal properties. It is chiefly grown for its leaves both fresh and dried and for the essential oil. In general, it is harvested 2 – 3 times a year and has a lifespan of around 15 years. A kilogram of sage fetches Kshs. 250 -300.

However, performing multiple harvesting sessions per year is not an easy task and requires experience. Sage requires irrigation and fertilization between the harvesting sessions so that the plants will be encouraged to regenerate quickly. Multiple harvesting sessions is feasible from the second year onwards as the plant will have already have established itself.

Timing

“Farming is all about correct planting and harvesting dates. Timing is the key,” divines Tongoi. While most farmers plant without studying supply and demand factors, Tongoi observes the importance of planting at the correct time so that it is harvested when the demand is high.

“For you to be profitable in horticulture, timing is very important. With good farming practices you will have a bumper harvest and sell at good prices.”

According to Tongoi, the best time to introduce broccoli and cauliflower in a nursery bed is early November. It takes around 21 days for seedlings to be ready for planting. Transplanting follows in late November or early December so that harvesting will coincide when the demand is high – February through March. The two crops take about two months.

Perfect timing for capsicum is in March or early April where nursery preparation is done, before being transplanted in late April. “Farming journey is not that easy, it’s about taking a risk of investment. Sometimes you will make profits, other times you’ll make losses, but you learn and continue,” he adds.

Challenges

While rain is a blessing, excessive heavy rains may sweep away plants and also destroy greenhouses. These may leave a farmer counting losses as he may be forced to plant again. Likewise too much cold may result in diseases like down mildew common in basil.

Similarly, during hot seasons insect pests like thrips and aphids lay a lot of eggs consequently multiplying rapidly. As such, their invasion lowers production of crops. Furthermore, pests increases cost of production as the farmer will be required to purchase insecticides and fungicides.

Since the herbs require specialized care workers need to be guided and trained on how to handle the crops. Preparing the beds and watering requires some level of expertise. Water availability is another challenge, more so in prolonged drought seasons. Farming especially during dry season requires water. If you don’t have adequate supply of water it may prove a disaster.

Final word

His advice to people who want to venture into farming: “Before starting any type of farming do market research of the crop you intend to plant,” he counsels adding, “You don’t need a big space, you can start from a kitchen garden or vertical garden. Once you start you’ll develop passion, step by step taking minimal risks you grow.”

Tongoi urges young people to shun idleness instead engage in productive activities like farming. “Don’t stay at home with an idle land. You can use the little space you have to start farming. You don’t need acres of land or a big skill to start farming,” he advises.  “Let’s venture into farming to secure our food security.”

“We are dedicated to ensure the farm expands. Our plan is to increase the number of greenhouses and add another propagation unit,” explains Tongoi. He further adds that they are looking to start mushroom farming as well. He also aims to empower farmers interested in learning more about herb farming.