By Brenda Mwende and Alex Njeru
Amid the rolling hills and red soils of Tharaka Nithi County, a powerful story of agricultural transformation is unfolding.
Charles Kimathi Makamba, a farmer from the small village of Kabururu in Kiaritha sub-location, has turned his once modest farming venture into a shining beacon of rural prosperity—thanks to certified seeds, county government support, and unwavering dedication.
For over 13 years, Kimathi, a former hawker in Thika town in Kiambu County toiled on his land, battling low yields and unpredictable weather.
“When I first started, I used to sow local seeds—maize and green grams bought in ordinary bags,” he recalls. “I’d harvest a bag or two of green grams and maybe half a bag of maize from a whole hectare. It was disheartening.”
But the tide turned when the County Government of Tharaka Nithi, under the leadership of Governor Muthomi Njuki, began distributing certified seeds.
The support came as part of a larger county initiative to modernize farming and enhance food security in the county that was facing food insecurity.
“When I switched to the certified seeds, everything changed,” Kimathi says with a smile. “Now I harvest up to 30 bags of maize and 4 bags of green grams per acre during good seasons. Even in dry periods, I get about 20 to 25 bags of maize and 3 bags of green grams.”
According to Kimathi, the real game-changer is the resilience of the certified seeds. “The local green grams were no match for pests or diseases like kimou,” he explains. “But the certified seeds withstand the weather, resist pests, and produce far better yields.”
Recently, Kimathi planted certified green grams across 8 acres of land. The result? A bumper harvest of 18 to 26 bags—more than triple what he used to get using traditional seeds. The rewards have been life-changing.
“Farming has completely turned my life around,” Kimathi declares. “I’ve paid school fees for my children, provided for my family, bought land, built houses, and even bought a car—all from farming.”
But success hasn’t come without its challenges. While the harvests have improved dramatically, marketing remains a major hurdle.
“We sell our produce in local markets like Ishiara, but the prices are not favorable,” Kimathi laments. “We still use tins to measure produce, yet each tin holds nearly 3.5 kilograms. This means we lose a lot of money, especially compared to standard kilogram-based pricing.”
He urges the government to intervene and standardize produce measurements while helping farmers access consistent, profitable markets. “If the county can help us find better markets and stop this tin system, we’ll truly benefit from our hard work,” he says.
Kimathi also applauds other county government initiatives, such as the provision of artificial insemination services. “The AI cows we’ve received are more productive and easier to manage. This is the kind of support we need.”
Looking to the future, Kimathi calls for continued collaboration between farmers, government, and development partners.
“Let’s join hands—farmers, leaders, and residents—for the growth of Tharaka Nithi,” he says.
Charles Kimathi Makamba’s story is a powerful testament to what targeted agricultural support and personal resilience can achieve.
His journey from struggle to success is not just an individual victory—it’s a glimpse into the potential of rural transformation when the right seeds are planted, both in the soil and in policy.
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