In an area that can no longer rely on rain-fed agriculture, Joshua Olonde has found a way to thrive. He lives in Lambwe Valley, Homa Bay County, and previously relied on maize to earn a living. However, after a string of heavy losses after the rains failed to meet expectations, he decided to take up horticulture and fish farming. And the bet’s paying off.
Joshua started fish farming in 2013 to cushion himself from the losses that came with growing maize, and with this decision, he found his way into horticulture after being trained on managing a greenhouse.
With Sh10,000, he bought tomato seeds for his greenhouse and after four months had not only set up a model farm where other farmers from his neighbourhood could learn, but he also earned Sh80,000 from his first harvest. He’s hoping his latest crop will bring in at least Sh100,000.