I strongly feel if somebody opened up markets for Nyandarua farmers, they could grow more crops on their fertile extensive farms and even cash crops like wheat and pyrethrum would return. Most farms are currently lying bare with just a handful of cows roaming around, yet there could be crops growing there that can generate income for these farm owners, while feeding a huge population that needs it.
I still remember how my father was always received like a rock star whenever he visited Gikuyu with a pick up full of Nyandarua produce. Bags of maize, potatoes, wheat and maize flour, peas, cabbage and all those other crops that grew effortlessly on our massive farms. This was just one pick up and nothing on it was for sale. It was a gift for our Gikuyu relatives and friends. They were so glad to receive that and they talked about it for ages, meaning there is a need for such deliveries.
There are second and third generation Nyandaruans who have the financial capability to invest in long distance trucks to ferry Nyandarua produce to far off Counties where such produce is scarce, meaning there is an open and ready market for it. Whenever crops are ready, such a Nyandaruan who wants to benefit his people, not exploit them, can establish collection centers for whatever crop that is in season. He can purchase straight from the farmers at the fairest price that is worth their effort and labor. His convoy can then leave Nyandarua headed straight to the markets he has already established. By the time the trucks return, the farmers will have brought even more of their produce, and the convoy can pick up and head back out. This will cut out the crafty “foreign” middlemen who have exploited our farmers for decades. Wealthy Nyandaruans can invest back home and benefit their own people because they understand what is at stake. After studying the markets, one can educate the farmers on what is profitable for them for their next crop season and even bring them quality seeds to enhance productivity. Let us pay it forward, since we already received so much from these productive farms from which we rose.
