The sweet fragrance of geranium greets visitors at Lucy Kinyua’s farm.
Her one-acre farm is a sight to behold, located on the outskirts of Nanyuki town in Mukogodo East ward, Laikipia county, about 235km from Nairobi.
Kinyua began cultivating the crop in 2020 and has never looked back.
Geranium is a popular type of flowering plant known for its attractive and colourful blooms. The crop has round leaves and produces clusters of small, bright flowers in a variety of colours, including red, pink, white and purple.
She says that Kutoka Ardini Limited in Narumoro, Nyeri county, introduced the crop to farmers and provided seeds.
"We started growing geranium in 2020 as a group of 54 members. It is easy to plant, you dig a hole, add fertiliser and plant the seed. After four months, you can begin harvesting," Kinyua says.
The crop has a ready market as the company collects the produce directly from the farm gate, and payments are made via Mpesa upon delivery.
Harvesting occurs three times a year, and her half-acre plot yields 150 kilos per harvest in good rainy seasons. A kilo sells for Sh12.50.
Switching to geranium from maize has mitigated the impacts of human-wildlife conflict, as elephants, cows, sheep and goats do not damage geranium crops.
"One of the challenges we have in this area is the destruction of crops by wildlife, especially elephants and porcupines. But with geranium, there is minimal damage from the animals."
Previously, Kinyua grew maize, which was harvested once a year. In dry conditions, maize crops often failed, yielding little to no produce.
Geranium, however, ensures consistent harvests and income, allowing Kinyua to repay loans and support her family.
"Our children used to be sent home for lack of school fees," she says. "Since we started farming geranium, we can afford school fees and clothing for our families."
Another advantage of growing geranium is that despite its sweet aroma, it can be intercropped with beans.
Kinyua, a member of the Ngenia Geranium Farmer group, appreciates the convenience and reliability this arrangement offers.
The group meets monthly, with each member saving Sh200. At the end of the year, dividends are paid out, helping Kinyua afford her children's school fees and cater for her family’s other needs.
"This year, our group received Sh97,000 as dividends which were shared amongst the members," she says, adding that with geranium, she is now self-reliant and able to contribute to her family's needs.
Kinyua is among the women who have benefited from the Women Economic Empowerment through Climate Smart Agriculture project, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization, UN-Women and Hand in Hand with funding from KOICA-Kenya.
FAO and UN-Women have provided training on treating agriculture as a business, boosting farmers' incomes.
The four-year project, worth $6 million (Sh783 million), has reached more than 2,700 farmers in Laikipia, West Pokot and Kitui counties.
FAO’s monitoring and evaluation officer, Robert Otundo, emphasises the project's focus on enhancing women's capacity to adapt to changing climate and participate in policy-making processes.
Elizabeth Obande, the project manager, says the project is important to amplifying women's roles and voices in agriculture.
Dr Eliud Kireger, director general of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, says that KALRO has developed and conserved two geranium varieties, with more than eight varieties currently grown in the country.
“Geranium farming, primarily practised by small-scale farmers in Kieni, Nyeri county, has significantly improved local living standards and earned the nickname 'the gold of Kieni,'" he says.
The crop has been promoted by Kutoka Ardini under the international company Fair Oils Ltd, and geranium farming has since expanded to Kieni (Nyeri county), Timau (Meru county), Maasai Mara (Narok county), and Kwale county.
The crop is processed for oil, with a litre selling for Sh18,000 to Sh24,000 in export markets.
“However, geranium farming faces challenges, including pests such as cutworms, caterpillars and small snails, as well as diseases like damping off, fusarium wilt, and leaf spots,” he says.
Kireger says that the plant does not thrive in poorly drained soils, highlighting the need for proper agricultural practices to ensure successful yields.
