A new trend of farming has seen most farmers and businesspeople from Nyamira County embark in exotic tree farming to cater for the rising demands of posts in the country.
Most farmers and investors have turned into the lucrative business of purchasing pieces of land and subsequently planting exotic blue gums that are later sold to Kenya Power and Lighting Company as poles given their fast maturity rate.
When traversing the county, especially in Borabu constituency, it is evident that many people have abandoned traditional maize farming in favor of tree planting for business.
According to Silvanus Nyandusi, a farmer, the business is thriving given its demands in the market, in the country and also across the borders.
“Exotic tree planting is the new business that we have ventured into," he says.
"It is affordable and the only commitment we have is just to guard the trees. At maturity, we normally sell them as poles not only in Kenya but also across the borders.”
He says the business is cheap despite the seedlings being expensive since they are transported from South Africa, something that makes some of the seedlings to cost as much as Sh100 each compared to Sh10 charged when buying a local seedling.
“The seedlings may be expensive but it is understandable [since] they are imported. However, I can bet that we make enormous profits,” he adds.
The same sentiments are supported by renowned businessman Winston Mogaka, who has over 20 hectares all reserved for the business at Borabu constituency.
“I find it easy to invest in tree planting business since it is only for a short duration. Besides, we have available customers in the market that uses it for either construction or as electricity poles,” he says.