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Kenya: Retired chemist grows vegetable seedlings for money

Mwihaki Njehu has been a farmer for the last six years, having started her agribusiness as a hobby soon after her retirement.

The chemist, whose farm Grace Rock sits on three acres and is located in Chunga Mali village, some 27km from Nairobi in Kiambu County, specialises in vegetable seedlings.

They include tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, sukuma wiki (collard greens) and watermelons.

“I began with three greenhouses, where I planted tomatoes and coloured capsicums that I sold in the market.”

However, as she farmed, she identified a gap in the seedlings business and ventured into it.

“I was inspired to begin raising seedlings after experiencing challenges getting quality ones. I would buy from farmers and some of them would not grow well.”

She sells the seedlings mainly to farmers in Kiambu and neighbouring counties who come for them.

“I have also partnered with a local courier to deliver seedlings to customers throughout the country within 24 hours after I get an order,” says Mwihaki, who reads agriculture books and attends training to boost her knowledge in seedlings production.

A seedling goes from between Sh2 and Sh20 [0.02-0.20 USD] depending on the crop and variety.

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