COMPANY: Food Africa Enterprise

EDUCATION: Degree in Computer forensics and cybercrime from United States International University-Africa

AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME: From Sh100,000 onwards

John was only 19 when he was inspired by a story about young farmers in India on CNN. He began his research on greenhouse farming, and later on, with the support of his family, raised Sh350, 000, with which he set up two green houses with one crop – capsicum. It paid off.

Fast forward to 2016, eight years later, he has now diversified his business model; not only is he farming tomatoes, capsicum and other horticultural crops, he also offers agricultural support services; helping farmers set up green houses, drip irrigation systems, fishponds and dam systems.

He is also a distributor of agricultural produce for farmers to schools and hotels.

Though satisfying, he says it has not been an easy journey, the biggest challenge being climate change, which greatly affects yield. He is optimistic though, “I have been able to offer several people stable employment, and I am playing a role, however small, in contributing to food security in the country.”

In the next five to 10 years, he targets to start exporting horticultural products.

Besides farming, John is also an agent of CIC insurance, offering farmers crop insurance against unexpected disasters.

– Interview by Rose Odengo