Kale farming in Kiambaa Constituency, is helping residents access fresh, affordable vegetables while also creating jobs and supporting food security in the area.
One of the people spearheading this community based approach to food and nutrition is Moses Limoni, a farmer who has grown from small-scale kale farming to now running a large-scale kale operation on 2.5 acres of land.
Despite starting on a small portion of land of kale in 2023, he has developed into a vibrant and large-scale farmer who supplies kale to area residents, markets, and learning institutions. His farm now plays a key role in feeding the community, offering employment, and sustaining his family.
“The idea of kale farming came to me in need of supplying food to my family and also selling some to get an income,” Moses says.
Today, Moses has four workers who help him manage the daily operations from planting and weeding to harvesting and packaging. His farm relies on water from a borehole, allowing him to grow kale consistently throughout the year regardless of weather conditions.
The farm supplies fresh kale to nearby homes, local markets, and schools. Each week, dozens of families come to his farm to buy kale at prices ranging between Sh20 and Sh30 per bunch, a welcome relief for many who used to travel to far away markets like Gacharage or Banana to buy vegetables at fairly higher prices.
“This farm has really helped us,” says Sabina Njeri, from the neighbourhood. “Now we get fresh kale without paying high prices or transport costs. It’s made life easier.”
Moses practices sustainable farming by recycling broken kale and plant residues to make compost manure, which he uses to fertilise his crops. This reduces dependency on chemical inputs and cuts farming costs, making his work more environmentally friendly.
In addition, Moses ensures that no part of his kale plants goes to waste. Even the damaged or leftover leaves are either turned into organic manure or fed to livestock and chicken.
This circular approach not only helps improve soil fertility but also protects the environment from waste accumulation.
By using organic manure made from his own farm waste, Moses has reduced his use of chemical fertilisers, which can be expensive and harmful to the soil structure in the long run.
This has helped him save on production costs while ensuring his kale remains healthy and nutritious for consumers.
He also relies on water from a borehole for irrigation, a more sustainable option in an area where rain is unpredictable. By managing water carefully and avoiding overuse, Moses is able to farm throughout the year without exhausting local water sources.
The farm has become his family’s main source of income, allowing him to pay school fees and meet daily expenses. “This farm feeds my children and pays their fees,” he enthusiastically says. “It has changed my life completely.”
Even so, Moses faces ongoing challenges. Unpredictable weather patterns, expensive seeds, low offers from brokers, and sudden changes in market demand affect his operations from time to time.
“There are days when the market is flooded, and prices drop. Other times, brokers want to buy at very low prices, which is frustrating,” he says.
Still, Moses remains committed. His current goal is to improve kale production by expanding the farm and begin packaging kale for supermarkets and retail outlets in future.
He also sees his farm as a source of empowerment. The four young youths he employs not only earn income but are learning valuable farming skills. He hopes to inspire more youth in Kiambaa to view agriculture as a business.
“Working on this farm has helped me a lot,” says Isaac Njeru, one of the employees. “I have gained farming skills, and the income I get helps me support my family.”
Moses and his workers gather the final harvest for delivery. For many in Mashambani and beyond, this farm is more than a business; it’s a reliable source of food, opportunity, inspiration and support to his community.
By James Guchu
