Israeli model farms to boost food supply

Plans are under way for Israel to donate model farms that use little water and inputs like fertiliser to achieve greater yields.

The model farms, measuring an eighth or 12.5 per cent of an acre are used to grow food for sale, and can generate up to Sh200,000 each six- month season.

The earnings dwarf those of crops like maize, where one acre produces an average of 15 bags. At the current cost of Sh2,300 per 90 kilogramme bag, it means it would earnings of Sh34,500 for a season.

The model farms, some of which have been distributed are part of the country’s agriculture technology transfer from Israel to Kenya.

Israel will distribute 11 such model farms across the country, with each province getting at least one.

“We hope that at the end of it, more of these farms can be used by more small holder farmers,” said Israel Ambassador to Kenya, Jacob Keidar.

The model farms are expected to play a dual role of helping to ease rural-urban migration, a challenge currently facing Kenya. One of the causes for the migration is that the youth do not want to engage in agribusiness, because they find it not financially rewarding.

Statistics indicate that the average age of small holder farmer in Kenya today is 60 years. This means that in the next 20 years, a good number of these farmers will have died, yet the aging generation is not interested in farming.

The model farms, with the ability to generate income comparable to that of cash crops like tea are seen as part of the solution to taming the exodus of the youth to urban areas with their high income turnover expected to attract the youth into agribusiness.

The model farms are already being sold to individual or farmers groups through Amiran Kenya, an agriculture inputs and services vendor with roots in Israel.

Earlier this year, Amiran Kenya and Equity Bank partnered to launch a scheme where farmers would be loaned money to invest in farms that use small greenhouse technology and drip irrigation.

Farmers are offered quality seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and tailored training from Amiran’s agronomists, all packaged into the Amiran Farmer’s Kit (AFK).

Farmers can grow vegetables or flowers which Amiran Kenya will assist in marketing. The company will also offer extension services to the beneficiary farmers.

One greenhouse farm goes for Sh145,000 meaning that its cost will be recovered within the first season.

Ambassador Keidar said if used widely, the farms could set up Kenya to become a food exporter to Israel.