How diversification from fruit farming boosts income for queens of the convent

Until three years ago, Mount Carmel Convent Farm produced only passion fruit for the Sisters’ consumption. However, the Sisters realised that the high-value 0.9-acre farm was not being fully utilised, despite its potential to produce a wider variety of crops and generate greater benefits.

They resolved to establish a diversified model farm to supply food for the Sisters and the surrounding community, while selling any surplus in nearby markets to generate income for the convent.

Engineer and agronomist Kepha Mumo, who manages the farm, says they assessed the surrounding area before establishing the venture and found that the produce at Kangemi Market, the nearest market, was relatively expensive.

“Since the Sisters live in a monastery, travelling to the market to buy vegetables was inconvenient. We decided to establish a vegetable farm to supply the kitchen with fresh produce while reducing food costs,” he says.

He says a planning committee determines what to grow each season based on market demand and prevailing weather conditions, recognising that different crops perform better under different climatic conditions.

They started with common vegetables such as tomatoes, capsicum, cabbage, cucumbers, beetroot and onions. The crops are grown in three-month production cycles after which they are replaced with new ones.

 During a visit, the farm was divided into blocks, each planted with different crops, including tomatoes, capsicum, mangoes, onions, cabbage, beetroot and avocados.

Other crops are pixie oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, spinach, sugarcane, bananas,  pawpaws and indigenous vegetables such as amaranth, terere, kunde and saga.

Besides open-field cultivation, the farm has greenhouses that support year-round production while reducing pest and disease pressure through a controlled growing environment.

 What began as a diversified farm dedicated to supplying the Sisters’ kitchen and enhancing household nutrition has since evolved into a business venture, generating good income through the sale of surplus produce in commercial markets.

In fact, by the second year, Mumo reveals the farm had already generated more income than they had anticipated.

 “Since we have different types of crops on the farm, we harvest and sell produce throughout the year. In the past, we had never imagined that farming could become such an exciting business venture, but today we are seeing its potential,” Mumo explains.

He says the Sisters actively participate in farming activities, regularly working alongside farmhands and learning modern farming practices while taking a break from their daily routine. Their involvement also gives them a deeper appreciation of the work and challenges faced by farmers.

Partnerships

Mumo says partnerships have been at the heart of the farm’s success, with organisations such as the Embassy of Israel, Don Bosco Technical Institutes of Africa, CultivAid, Water 4 Mercy and AITeC-Embu Farm supporting various aspects of its development.

For instance, the Embassy of Israel introduced drip irrigation, a water-efficient technology that ensures every drop is used effectively.

Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Seychelles Gideon Behar says Israeli agricultural technology is being demonstrated at the farm through a drip irrigation system.

He says climate change has made rainfall increasingly erratic and unpredictable, making irrigation an important tool for farmers seeking to maintain food production despite changing weather patterns.

“Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants, reducing water use by more than 50 per cent compared with conventional irrigation methods, while significantly increasing crop yields,” Behar explains.

 He says Kenya can learn from Israel, which is among the world’s most advanced countries in water management. Israel’s system is built on four interconnected pillars that together create what is essentially a circular water economy.

 “The process begins with seawater being desalinated and supplied to homes and cities for domestic use. The wastewater is then collected and purified rather than treated as waste.

About 95 per cent of Israel’s wastewater is recycled and reused for agriculture,” noted the envoy.

He reiterates that proper treatment and reuse of wastewater can reduce pollution while expanding water supplies for agriculture.

Mumo recalls that previously, they used furrow irrigation while growing passion fruits and vegetables, which consumed large amounts of water drawn from a borehole. It took an entire day.

“Since adopting drip irrigation, the farm has reduced water use by 75 per cent. Previously, a 250-cubic-metre water tank had to be refilled daily during dry periods. Today, the same tank only requires refilling every four days, significantly lowering water consumption and pumping costs,” he explains.

The project is part of the Greening the City initiative, which promotes urban agriculture and serves as a demonstration site where city residents learn to maximise food production on small plots.

Other smart technologies include fertigation, which delivers fertiliser through the drip irrigation system, improving efficiency and ensuring nutrients reach plants directly.

Plastic mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds and reduces the spread of soil-borne diseases.

To manage pests, the farm uses blue sticky and pheromone traps, which monitor and control insect populations, reducing the need for pesticides.

Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau lauded Mount Carmel Farm for maximising production on a small piece of land through precision farming and climate-smart agriculture.

She says agriculture is the foundation of every nation, underpinning food security, health and nutrition while ensuring future generations grow up healthy and productive.

 “The solution lies in innovation, modern farming techniques and high-value crops that can thrive on small plots using climate-smart technologies,” she says.

The Archbishop of Nairobi Philip Anyolo lauded the project's pioneers for using farming to fight hunger.

“Hunger brings suffering and struggle.

 Extreme poverty is often reflected in people lacking basic needs such as food and water. Yet, God has given us the soil, rain, friends and crops to interact with nature and one another to meet our basic needs.”