Greening the Horticulture Industry in Nyandarua County

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF – Kenya) led GOALAN project supported the County of Nyandarua to mainstream the Green Economy Strategy and Implementation (GESIP) into its Integrated Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan. The aim was to work with all counties within the Naivasha basin to ‘green’ the horticulture sector by promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production Practices, along the supply chain, to ultimately provide green jobs, and reduce poverty.

The Green Economy Strategy has Improved Access to Financial Services

The farmers in Geta Forest area in Nyandarua County now have access to finance and embrace better financial management practices in their day-to-day business. Through the GOALAN project, they are able to develop business plans, apply good financial management and record-keeping practices as well as strengthen sustainable farming.

Four Months, Close to Half a Million in Vegetable Income

38-year-old James Kinyanjui is a member of the Green Horticulture at Lake Naivasha (Goalan) Project’s Gitei Fresh group. In less than four months, he made a sale of 439,400 shillings from his sustainably produced vegetables. James grows Irish potatoes and carrots in his 1.5 acres piece of land. On one acre he planted 800 kilograms of certified Irish Potatoes, donated to him by WWF-Kenya, which translated to 9,530 kilograms that he later sold at 269, 800 shillings. Through continuous market surveys, he was able to increase profits for his produce through demand mapping and best price establishment. With increasing levels of unemployment occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic, James has found a niche in agribusiness and occasionally provides employment and training to his neighbours while adhering to the protocols by the Ministry of Health. The goal of the European Union-funded project is ‘greening’ the horticulture sector by promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production practices while providing green jobs.

Read More about the GOALAN project