When we were young, our teachers and relatives would often ask us “What would you like to become when you grow up?” And we would answer heartily: “A pilot” “A teacher” “The President” “A rocket scientist” or something similar to that.
But times have really changed, and those so-called “big professions” are no longer the in thing. Larry Keya is a young man who seems to have figured out this already.
He decided to become a farmer and an online tutor right after graduating from campus. Kuza Biashara recently caught up with Mr. Larry in his small farm in Eldoret (Kenya) and managed to grab a few jewels of wisdom from him.
Kuza Biashara: Why did you decide to venture into agriculture at such a young age?
Larry Keya at his farm in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.
Larry: Actually, the first time I ever dreamt of becoming a farmer was when I was in my second year of campus.
I had big dreams, I wanted to own numerous greenhouses and start a big farming business in my home.
As you would guess, I did not have any capital let alone experience and skills.
Kuza Biashara: That must have been a tough start, tell us more
Larry: Just before I graduated from campus, I decided to narrow down my list of ideas to two.
I resolved to start an ICT related business (I am passionate about ICT matters by the way).
The IT business would help me pay my bills and raise some capital to nurture my farming dream.
Kuza Biashara: Talking about ICT business, what type of business did you start?
Larry: I would repair computers sell software and for a short while, I distributed Internet to schools and offices in Eldoret town.
I am still running some IT related business, on my website only that right now I am giving out tutorials on my experience and research in farming.
Inside Larry Keya’s Green House
Kuza Biashara: What challenges did you encounter starting out?
Larry: Anyone who is running a business will tell you that what is on paper rarely translates to what you get when you embark on the actual business.
From struggling to find a fundi (carpenter) to getting conned, to getting a good farm help etc….there were so many mistakes I made.
In fact, I did not get any return on investment (ROI) from the first season; I was tempted to give up but I kept pressing on.
Kuza Biashara: From your experience, what advice would you give to anyone who is following a similar path?
Larry:Prepare your mind it is not going to be an easy ride. But with the right kind of advice, mentorship and commitment, there is no reason why one shouldn’t overcome whatever obstacles you find on the way.
Kuza Biashara: How did you get the capital to set up all these structures in your farm? They must have cost you a lot of money?
Larry: Yes indeed, they cost me a fortune given that I had not saved more than Ksh100,000 in my bank account.
At first, I looked for a friend and we formed adhoc partnership, unfortunately he quit when we made losses during our first year.
Recently, though, I have been getting funding from Youth Development Fund, which was initiated by our government some time back.
Kuza Biashara: How is your business today?
Larry: The other day I took stock of my achievements… and I now believe what they say ‘Only Dreamers are Achievers’ because I once dreamt about owning one (1) Unit of greenhouses and now I have two (2).
I’m currently working on my third project. I am living proof that ‘There is a lot of value derived from starting small.’
Kuza Biashara: An estimate of the cost you incur per year in your farm
Larry: After incurring the cost of building the greenhouse each year I normally spend a maximum of Ksh 20,000 to keep the greenhouse running for a full season – that is without accounting for labor. This is for a standard 8 by 15 unit.
Kuza Biashara: Roughly how much do you earn from your farm per month? Is it worth the effort?
Larry: I can say it is worth it. I earn more than most of my friends who took to white-collar jobs after graduating from campus.
Income is, however, dependent on what I plant. For example, if I plant cucumbers I make Ksh70,000+ and from Tomatoes Ksh90,000+ from green capsicum I make Ksh80,000+.
Currently, I am testing new frontiers like planting ornamental tomatoes in a greenhouse and I am also slowly starting open field farming.
English Cucumbers From Larry’s Farm
Kuza Biashara: That is quite a lot of money, how do you market your farm products?
Larry:Market is one of the trickiest bits because of most farm products are highly perishable.
I used to dump my produce to the main market but now I am looking into selling the produce on my own through value addition.
In fact I have been researching a lot about cucumber juice and it is something that I will definitely start doing very soon.
Who knows maybe in a few years we may also be talking about how I started my cucumber juice processing plant.
Kuza Biashara: What’s your message to the youth who keep saying there are no jobs yet they can take to farming to create jobs rather than seek jobs?
Larry: Opportunities are always available. You just have to be open-minded enough to look and see them. When you lock your mind to the ‘There are no Jobs Mentality’ you will never see the opportunities around you.
Farming in itself presents one of the best opportunity to create income because everyone everyday must eat. The Key is starting small with patience and persistence
Kuza Biashara: Your final thoughts
Larry: I would like to thank the Kuza Biashara crew for the wonderful work they are doing because through your platform Africa’s youth can learn to open their minds to various opportunities available out here.
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