KENYA: Farmers in North Rift Cash-in on Moby Dick Flower

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Submitted by IQ4News on Mon, 17/10/2011 - 3:36pm

Farmers in the area have identified Moby Dick farming as an alternative to the dwindling tea fortunes. Already, they have identified the Netherlands as their export destination as the government facilitates them.

By Joab Apollo

Nandi County, and by extension the whole of the Rift Valley Province in Kenya is famed for its farming of tea. Whenever you pay a visit to the place, often you will be greeted by luxuriant tea bushes.

But now, a new farming method is taking root and farmers, both small scale and large scale farmers are shunning tea farming for the Moby Dick flower.

The flower has always been considered as a weed by many people not only in the region, but also in other parts of Kenya.

In Kapkechui village in the outskirts of Kapsabet Town, the craze is so high that a group bringing together three sub-locations has been formed with an aim of training the villagers on the benefit of farming Moby Dick.

The group, SAKAKI (Samoo, Kamrukuiywo and Kipchabo villages), has hit the road and intends to cash-in on the new plant.

According to the group’s secretary, Edward Koech, they have recieved backing from the government through the Agricultural Sector Coordinating Unit that has sent a facilitator to train the farmers on how to successfully run Moby Dick farms, and the challenges in exporting the flower.

“The government is doing very well and so far they have brought Mr. Kennedy Okello as our facilitator, given that this is untested waters and as farmers we don’t want to incur losses and one day cry wolf as other farmers chide us for abandoning our tea” says Koech.

He adds that most people in the area have never known about Moby Dick and believes that the dwindling fortunes of tea farming have made them welcome the idea.

Netherlands

“Most of our people knew nothing about Moby Dick. I first heard of Moby Dick in Siaya County but then I did not pay keen interest. Even as I talk to you and with the training, many still do not understand how to go about it. This requires frequent workshops and seminars so that our people do not loose”.

The group adds that they prefer it to tea farming since it only takes six months before it is harvested, and harvesting can be as long as two years. Tea takes about three years before it is harvested. They intend to export the flower to the Netherlands where they believe they can rake in a lot of money.

Rose Kiptum, a farmer in Kapkechui village says that even though she has a small farm, she has a vision of buying another farm after accruing profits from her small farm and engage in big time Moby Dick farming.

“To me this is just the beginning; I have told my husband who represents our family in the SAKAKI group to ensure that we seriously take this flower farming. It is already taking place in Siaya and they have gotten a lot of money. Why not we? ” said Rose.

But Rose does not want to be asked more questions about the plant.

Rose adds that her husband, Mr Samuel Kiptum, knows all about Moby Dick and is the best person to be asked questions.

Mr Kiptum says that the flower is only marketable in Europe and that the months of January, February, March and April are the best for harvesting.

“There is no ready market locally, and the Netherlands is our destination” Mr. Kiptum argues. “We must note that the market is only available in the months of January, February, March and April. There is need for all of us to ensure that we plant in anticipation of the harvesting time.”

30 Acre Land

50 year old Daniel Kipngetich, a shopkeeper in Kapsabet town says that he is currently farming the flower as a test and if it pays off, he will turn his 30 acre parcel of tea farm into Moby Dick flower farm.