 |
| Mr.Kimani training farmers in his farm |
From Engineer to Fish Farming Icon: The Story of Daniel Kimani
Growing up, Daniel Kimani never pictured himself on a farm. Today, the 29-year-old from Nyandarua County, about 150 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, is a national figure—featured on radio and TV for his success in fish farming.
After earning a diploma in engineering, Daniel struggled to find a job. Then, one day, he heard a radio program discussing how agriculture could transform young lives. Inspired, he decided to take a leap into fish farming—and it changed everything.
His innovation didn’t stop at the ponds. Daniel uses wastewater from his fish ponds to fertilize strawberries, irrigating them with filtered water. His sustainable system now feeds both his income and the environment.
“My dream is to become the best young farmer in Africa and be recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization,” he says confidently.
Through the Mkulima Young online community, Daniel has not only grown his brand but also become a fish farming consultant and farm manager for one of Kenya’s largest trout farms. His earnings have risen from Ksh 65,000 to over Ksh 165,000 per month—proof that farming can pay off.
 |
| Mr.Kimani(right) in his farm |
From Boda-Boda Rider to Vegetable Farmer: Samson Ndung’u’s Transformation
For Samson Ndung’u, farming started with curiosity. The 23-year-old from Murang’a, northeast of Nairobi, once earned a living ferrying passengers on his boda-boda motorcycle. One day, while driving a regular client, he tuned his radio to Coro FM, where he heard about a platform called Mkulima Young.
Intrigued, Samson decided to give farming a try. Using his family’s small garden, he began growing tomatoes, spinach, peppers, and cucumbers—and soon started selling them through Mkulima Young’s online marketplace, Mkulima Soko.
Today, Samson is recognized as a Mkulima Young Champion, a title reserved for young farmers who not only succeed in agribusiness but also inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Mkulima Young: Where Farming Meets the Digital Age
Behind this digital agricultural revolution is Mr. Macharia, an agricultural expert and former extension officer who has made it his mission to rebrand farming for Kenya’s youth. Through Mkulima Young, he connects thousands of young farmers via social media, helping them market their produce, share knowledge, and access opportunities once limited to traditional markets.
“Mkulima Young is proof that the culture is changing,” says Mr. Macharia. “You’d be surprised how many rural youth are now on social media.”
So far, the platform’s virtual market, Mkulima Soko, has recorded over 3,000 online sales and attracted more than 10,000 registered users.
Youth Farming: A Smart Investment
Margaret Muchui, a principal research officer at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), has been following the growth of Mkulima Young closely. She says,
“Young people have realized that it’s possible to earn more from agriculture than from formal employment.”
She adds that the platform has created a vibrant space for young farmers to exchange ideas, solve problems, and grow their businesses online. “It’s been quite successful because it’s interactive,” she says. “The answers to many questions about technology or markets are provided by the youths themselves.”
A New Face of Farming
The success stories of Daniel and Samson are just a glimpse into Kenya’s changing agricultural landscape. What used to be seen as backbreaking work is now viewed as a smart, sustainable, and tech-driven career — one that promises independence and impact.
With platforms like Mkulima Young leading the way, social media has become more than a networking tool — it’s a bridge between innovation and the soil. And for young entrepreneurs across Kenya, that bridge might just lead to their next big success.
#YouthInAgriculture #MkulimaYoung #AgriTech #KenyaFarming #SuccessStories
No comments:
Post a Comment