A nutritional garden at the Oserian farm. Photo/OsteenNjenga
In a first of its kind, The Oserian Fair-trade has set up a nutritional garden to supplement the dietary needs of its 4500 employees.
The garden, which was started five months ago, sits on a one acre piece at the heart of the farm. On it are some of Kenyan popular vegetables: sukuma wiki (Kales), spinach, cabbages, carrots, red pepper and capsicum.
Though it’s still at a trial state, the farm has already produced vegetables which will be harvested towards the end of July and sold to the nearby markets.
Oserian Fairtrade Project Manager Sheila Mwalili, in an interview, viewed the garden as a life transforming project that will boost the living condition of the workers.
She said the idea was born from a need assessment test carried out in the farm that indicated most of the workers could not afford three basic meals in a day hence the need to create a project geared towards sustaining the food chain.
Mwalili cited that majority of the workers could not supplement their dietary needs, yet food security plays a key role to the proper management and running of the company.
“Vegetables were the easiest option in improving the dietary needs of our workers. They are a better accompaniment to ugali and their nutritional value is also very high. They are rich in vitamins and hence ensure that the health of the workers is upheld,” she added.
She pointed out that they will distribute the vegetables for free to persons living with HIV in a bid to help boost their health status.
“They will be our first priority as we would like to ensure that they are constantly supplied for vegetables. This is in addition to the free ARVS that are offered to them at the Oserian Hospital also under the Fair Trade venture,” she added.
Mulili revealed that they are seeking to expand the portion of land in the second phase of the project where they will introduce vegetables like lettuce and broccoli. With the Constant supply harvest every week, the company will be selling the vegetables in bulk to the local traders, who will in turn sell to the consumers.
The farm has already created employment for the locals, including the agronomist who tends to the farm.
“Plants are being attended to by professions hence the quality of the produce that will be taken to the market is very high. We are expecting a bumper harvest at the end of the season too,” she added.
James Wabwire, who works in the farm, indicated that the vegetables will be cheaper for Community and Oserian workers as compared to the local ones available in the market.
Wabwire said that the vegetables take a short period to grow, hence will ensure that there is no scarcity at any given time.
According to him, the scarcity created in the market was what caused price fluctuations
“There will be constant supply since the harvest will be periodically on a certain portion. This will ensure that at any given time, whenever they want the vegetables they will be given,” he added.
Mary Kinyua, the Head of Human Resource, views the project as one of the most exciting initiatives undertaken by the company.
Seeing it grow from nothing to a scheme that will positively influence all the workers thrills her.
“It’s an indication of how much you can do with so little. The farm has cost 1.5 million and we are expecting a yield of 2.5 million yet it’s still at its trial stage. As we make money we will also be getting food. Once the project expands it will also bring in more income for the Fair Trade,” she added.
Kinyua cited that they will offer prepackaged foodstuff for people living with HIV employed by the company. She hinted that the company receives between 60 and 80 million per annum from fair trade.
The cash and project is made and maintained by the employees, who are also the ones who determine which projects to fund.
“We are guided by our ethical stands as a company and that is what Fair trade stands for. We intend to make Oserian Fair Trade the most transparent company and also the most audited,” she added