Canola Plant Farming in Kieni- The Option for Kieni based Farmer!
With his curiosity heightened after a mockery comment from a white farmer on the vast number of black farmers who only are furnished with the expertise of farming similar crops, David Kimondo’s bid to enquire the use and benefit of the canola plant drove him into a serious research assignment. So far, he has stood out as a unique and successful canola farmer engaging into the explored canola plant yet unexplored by many a Kenyan farmer ,a project that has not only strengthened but has had it’s immense contribution in both the health and agriculture sectors.
As I walk past the gate rooted along the Mweiga, Amboni dusty road, my whole being get immersed into the wide view of the extensive layout of the agglomerated brick built stores. A stout short man later gain access into the premises and greets me. Well, he is Mr. David Kimondo the founder of the Canola Oil Processing Factory. A series of activities run smoothly and everybody seemed so engrossed and absorbed in his or her work. As he attends to some quick activities that catch his attention, I walk into an enclosed wooden structure where I sit on a wooden plank, darting my eyes across the barbed wire fence and keenly evaluating the thicket lush of the green leafy plants with its yellow blooming flower though quite oblivious for now that that’s the precious canola plant. He later call me and orientate me into the place from one store where crushing and squeezing of oil from the round, black seeds all courtesy of the bulky china imported machine which takes almost half of the space to filtering and later to packaging of the gold colored liquid .
Mr. Kimondo unadventurous character drove him into venturing into the canola farming where he spared two acres of his farm which in turn multiplied his effort and produced four tones of canola oil. His confidence in the plant swelled to date where he has expanded from two to five acres to specially cultivate the canola plant. After a grueling and experimental research, Mr. Kimondo outlines to me a lengthy list of the benefits of the canola plant right from its use as a food additive, income generating project and its effective quick healing power in diseases like Arthritis, stomach ulcers, heart diseases bouts of cancerous diseases and coronary diseases. Besides its use in cooking, having loaded with the omega 3 nutrients, which is also available in fish the canola oil is responsible for a flawless skin and it’s by product serves as a supplement for the cows which later on produces milk thrice as much, once the oil byproduct is mixed with the daily feed. Asked about the challenges he faces, he quickly points out the lack of support from both the national and county government in helping purchase the expensive and necessary machinery to help in processing of the oil .He also face the problem of the ever untamed birds who constantly feeds on the seeds therefore producing low yields.
All the same, he urges farmers to venture into the growth of the canola plant to help have enough supply in the country as he is the only Kenyan farmer who supplies the local market with the oil.
Having grown the canola plant for over five years and reaped its benefits, Mr. Kimondo is looking into the future with great insight as a healthy and wealthy farmer with his intention being to see a healthy community and in the spirit of reciprocity produce enough oil to different outlets within the country which will be beneficial to the community.
By Hannah Wangechi.
At the moment where the crop has not yet gained satisfactory recognition, Mr. Kimondo is engaged into serious and aggressive marketing of the canola oil where he features his product in exhibition centres; agricultural shows and internet at the same time teach upcoming farmers on how to farm the crop. In addition, he packages the oil in different quantities from half to one litre which retail in different outlets countrywide.
With his thriving product he has taught the farmers to be outstanding, diligent and use the resources they have to earn a living.
172,343 total views, 26 views today