My rabbits and goats fetches Sh500,000 monthly – Success story of Rahab Wanjiru

AGE:  30

COMPANY: Fundisho Farms

YEARS IN BUSINESS: 6

EDUCATION: Certificate in front office management

AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME: Sh100,000-Sh500,000

“My parents had a farm in Nakuru, so I was exposed to farming at a young age. Unlike many young people, I was not put off by all the hard work that I saw going into the farm, if anything, it was something I wanted to try out myself,” she says.

With the basic knowledge she had, she started rearing rabbits in 2010, but only went into full time farming after she went through training offered by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, KALRO, and Kipango Farmers in Kiambu.

She also keeps goats, which fetch her between Sh100,000 to Sh200,000 every five months. Though farming is rewarding if done right, she cautions that just like any other business, it faces turbulent times once in a while. A year ago for instance, the rabbit market was flooded, so she barely made a fraction of what she normally made. To stay afloat, she turned to greenhouse farming, where she planted spices and herbs for sale. With some cash injection from her family, she set up Fundisho Farms, a joint venture that exports spices and herbs to Germany.

“To succeed, you have to be open-minded and ready to adapt to change, because it will come. Successful farming also requires consistency and continuous education. You also have to continually educate yourself and keep up-to-date with the latest technology in farming – attend as many forums as you can and interact with those who have been there before you, otherwise you will not be able to weather the challenges.”

– Interview by Boniface Nyaga