Keeping vegetables well-watered
Phanice Ilamwenya owns Phanice Farmers’ Hub in Bungoma’s Misikhu Ward. She is one of our successful women farmers in the NICE Project. Through her Farmers’ Hub, the mother of six children works with more than 360 farmers. They greatly appreciate her leadership and warm nature.
I joined NICE with my Farmers’ Hub in May 2023. Later in the year, I read about NICE’s Small Grants Initiative on social media. The call sounded like something that would suit my Farmers’ Hub and add value to the community here.
Phanice Ilamwenya, owner of Phanice Farmers’ Hub
The NICE project’s Small Grants Initiative helps women and youth groups to grow their business activities. The aim is to increase households’ dietary diversity and quality through income and improved food security.
After consultation, Phanice applied for 150,000 KSH to boost the Farmer’s Hub’ production to the community, about $1100. Her grant proposal was successful. The drip irrigation kits they could purchase includes a roof tank for rainwater and a unit for supplying water to the drip system. In addition, the Farmer’s Hub group received a shed net for raising seedlings.
The group has already made great sales from African Leafy Vegetables (ALV). So far, local schools and other Bungoma customers have bought about 300 kg. With lots of farmers growing ALV in a small geographical area, there is a risk of a glut at harvest time and therefore lower prices. But Phanice’s clients have learned how to benefit. They now sell any surplus during the dry season when prices are higher.
