Farmers in Molo and Kuresoi region are slowly embracing growing of the highly nutritious Chia seeds after discovering the high value in the crop.
Chia seeds farming have turned to be quite promising after gaining popularity among farmers due to its immense benefits compared to other crops.
One of the pioneer farmers Stephen Gatimu said that after growing food crops such as potatoes, peas and cabbages, he is no longer under pressure after venturing into Chia seeds farming which requires minimum farm efforts from planting to harvesting.
He said Chia seeds sprout after five days of planting with a germination percentage of about 90% and takes three to four months to mature.
The farmer said the plant is grown organically and is resistant to pests adding that farmers do not use pesticides like is with other crops. Gatimu outlined the importance of the Chia seeds plant, terming it a super nutritious food which is a good source of Omega three essential fatty acids, calcium among other minerals and vitamins that our bodies require.
Francis Muiga, a farmer who embraced the rare, tiny black and white seeds cannot hide his excitement as he shows off his five acre farm where the happy purple flowered crop dances with pride to the rhythm of the blowing wind of Sirikwa hills in Kuresoi North constituency.
Gatimu told this writer that in a season of good harvest, a farmer can make up to Sh200, 000 per acre in a year.
He added that the crop's farmers are on their way to register a cooperative society which will assist them in marketing their value added product.
“Right now we are concentrating on the local market and we have decided to form a grower’s co-operative society in order to promote production and marketing," the farmer said.
He said that plans are under way to also collaborate with county governments in making Chia plant a cash crop to benefit farmers.
“The seeds have their origin in the Mexican desert and I first came across them after attending an international exhibition in Zanzibar where I bought some," Gatimu said.
He said the seed is doing well in managing several diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, chronic constipation, high blood pleasure, cleansing blood (anti-oxidant) and invigorating the nerves.
They can also be used to make either jelly when mixed with water, milk, tea juice, vegetables or as a food additive in the baking industry.
The Chia meal is therefore a complete food with basically all the vitamins and minerals that our bodies require.
The farmer is optimistic that the country will in the near future be in a position to meet the local demand and export surplus.
According to him, the country is relying on the imported Chia seeds which he said is unfortunate since farmers can be able to multiply the seeds within a short period.
Mr.Gatimu said farmers were being requested to use certified seeds in order to ensure maximum germination rates.
Kilogramme of Chia seeds is fetching Sh500.
Local agricultural experts are expected to advice farmers on the possibility of growing the seed in the various ecological zones given the unreliable rainfall in some parts of the country.
As for farmers in Molo, the crop is performing well and many of the growers will soon be laughing their way to banks.