How an Urban Farmer in Nairobi Earns Ksh 350,000 per Month from Just One Acre

Urban farming is quietly reshaping Nairobi’s food landscape—and one woman is proving that you don’t need vast acres of land to build a thriving agribusiness.
Meet Mrs. Nancy Karanja, an urban farmer in Ruai, Nairobi, who earns over Ksh 350,000 every month from her one-acre plot through smart, sustainable, and diversified farming.

From Accountant to Agripreneur

When Mrs. Karanja left her accounting career in 2008, few would have guessed that she would one day run one of Nairobi’s most productive urban farms. Starting small with just three Friesian cows, she has since grown her operation to 17 high-yielding dairy heifers, 10 of which are always in milk.

Each day, her cows produce around 300 liters of milk, which she sells to local bakeries such as Supaloaf. At Ksh 38 per liter, that translates to about Ksh 11,400 daily, or roughly Ksh 342,000 monthly in milk sales alone.

“I do Kilimo Biashara—agribusiness,” she says. “Urban farming is not just a hobby; it’s a business.”

Turning Waste into Wealth

Feeding 17 dairy cows in an urban setup may seem impossible, but Mrs. Karanja has mastered the art of sustainability. She sources horticultural waste from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, mixes it with hay from Narok, and creates a high-protein feed blend for her animals.

According to Prof. Nancy Karanja, a soil scientist from the University of Nairobi and director of the Microbial Resources Centre (Micren), this method not only recycles agricultural waste but also closes the nutrient loop—ensuring that valuable organic matter is returned to the soil.

“What doesn’t go out, she gets back. That is adding value to waste,” says Prof. Karanja.

Diversifying for Profit and Sustainability

Beyond dairy, Mrs. Karanja’s farm includes:

• Two dairy goats for highly nutritious milk

• Indigenous chicken producing 10 eggs daily

• Seven greenhouses cultivating red capsicum, cucumber, and cowpeas

• A fish pond with 2,000 catfish that mature every six months

• Arrowroot beds thriving on moist soil, defying the myth that they can only grow near rivers

The slurry from her cows is used to produce biogas for cooking and organic fertilizer for her crops—drastically cutting operational costs.

Growing Gold in Greenhouses

Inside her greenhouses, red capsicum (which fetches higher prices than the green variety) is the main cash crop. Mrs. Karanja harvests about 200 kilograms weekly, selling at Ksh 120 per kilo. Even at this modest rate, she earns around Ksh 24,000 every week from capsicum alone.

“Organic fertilizer from the biogas plant keeps the crops healthy and the soil rich,” she explains. “That’s my secret.”

Her produce is sold to Nairobi’s City Park and Village Market, but she is already looking beyond local sales—with plans to expand into horticultural exports.

Smart Space, Smart Farming

For many city dwellers, the biggest excuse against farming is lack of space. But Mrs. Karanja proves otherwise.
Her advice?

“Even if you have a small rocky plot, remove the stones, add manure, and start small. You can grow your own vegetables.”

She also uses multi-story gardens—soil-filled cement bags layered to grow sukuma wiki, dhania, and other vegetables. “One bag is enough to feed a family,” she says confidently.

Lessons from Nairobi’s One-Acre Miracle

Mrs. Karanja’s success holds valuable lessons for urban farmers and policymakers alike:

1. Urban farming is viable and profitable when approached as a business.

2. Sustainability pays off—waste can be turned into valuable resources.

3. Diversity is key—mixing dairy, crops, and aquaculture spreads risk and increases income.

4. Technology and innovation—from greenhouses to biogas—amplify productivity.

The Future of Urban Farming in Kenya

As food insecurity and unemployment continue to challenge Kenya’s cities, Mrs. Karanja’s model shows that urban agriculture is not just possible—it’s powerful. Her one-acre farm in Ruai could easily be replicated across other urban centers, transforming Nairobi from a food consumer into a food producer.

“Farming is the easiest way to survive in the city,” she says. “You just have to start.”

🌱 Final Thought

From waste-fed cows to biogas-powered greenhouses, Mrs. Karanja’s story is a masterclass in turning challenges into opportunities. Her journey is proof that smart farming, even in the city, can feed families, create jobs, and build wealth.