Not many would expect a university graduate to turn to farming despite graduating with a first class honours degree.
Such is the case of Jane Kimari, who, despite earning a first class honours degree in Psychology and Counselling, decided to engage in strawberry farming.
The 30-year-old woman started strawberry farming around 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic had hit the country.
She says that at that time, many people had to reconsider and adapt to new diets that would boost their health and immunity, among other reasons.
“With this economy and with children, you need a side hustle. It’s a side hustle that I enjoy. I sell a kilogram of strawberries at around Sh 600,” she said, adding that she practices vertical gardening, which maximizes the use of available space, making it useful in urban areas or areas with limited ground.
In her farm, she avoids using synthetic chemicals to maintain ecological balance, enhance soil fertility, and promote biodiversity.
She notes that she uses goat manure due to its richness in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The mixing ratio of soil to manure she uses is 1:1.
“In most things, when growing something or wanting to sell, you should be the first consumer. Do not grow something that you would not consume yourself. We don’t use fertilizers,” she clarified.
She further says that she sells her products online, as the internet has helped her gain clients from different parts of the country.
She advertises on her social media pages such as Facebook and receives client requests.
Sometimes, she also gets referral customers, with her main customers including local businesses such as bakeries, yogurt manufacturers, and residents of gated communities.
