Women at Munyu in Gatuanyaga, Thika East have embraced indigenous crops farming which they say is enabling them eke a living despite the area's dry conditions.
Speaking at one of their farms in Munyu on Monday where they are growing cassavas, Joan Wambui who is the chairperson of the Munyu Women Self-Help Group said that the demand for the indigenous farm products had increased leading to good prices.
Wambui says that lack of capital to do greenhouse farming which is suitable in the dry area led them to do indigenous farming which requires little rainfall.
"In our lack we found an opportunity. Since we couldn't raise enough money even for one greenhouse, we decided to explore the next best alternative. That is how we started this farming one year ago," said Wambui.
Apart from cassava, Wambui says they are also growing sweet potatoes, arrow roots among others.
"We have a ready market in Thika's Makongeni and Kenyatta markets where we sell to market women. We also sell to locals," she added.
She says that the demand for indigenous farm products has been on the rise in the area which she attributes to changing eating habits of locals as a result of what she says is intensified campaign by the media and nutritionists for people to embrace indigenous dishes.