Beyond Expectations
Conversation* with PATRICK MWANGI IRUNGU, Vipani Farmer, 22 March 2006

Patrick Mwangi Irungu holds the distinction of being the Vipani farmer with the highest sales in a single month. In February 2006, his revenue totaled 63,000 Kenyan Shillings (approximately US$875), the highest ever in a single month and crop season since Vipani was established in November 2004.

Indeed, Patrick has come a long way.

Patrick was born to a family with eight children, four boys and four girls. His father is a poor farmer with one acre of land, planted mostly with coffee and some food crops (maize and beans). He refused to sub-divide his land for his children saying it is too small, and so, once his children finished primary school, he asked them to go and fetch for themselves. Patrick was not an exception. In 1986 at 14 years of age, he finished primary school, then left home to look for work.

"I first worked for three years as a farm helper for very little pay. Then I started buying and selling vegetables. I did this for two years but all the money I made went for food and rent. I could not even save enough for bus fare to visit my parents", recalls Patrick.

"Then I worked as a casual laborer, as a mason's helper in building construction. It was during that time that I got married; I was then 22 years old."

"I ventured into farming 12 years ago; I leased 1/10th of an acre and started planting kales. My wife sold the kales at the local market, and we managed to have enough money for food and rent. I continued like this for the next six years, farming kales and working as a laborer."

"Six years ago, I decided to go into full time farming. I leased a further 2/10th of an acre, increasing my farm to almost 1/3 of an acre. I started growing French beans for companies but I did not have a good experience with them. The companies promised us great opportunities but disappointed us later; they did not keep their end of the bargain. They failed to supply us with fertilizers and charged a very high price for seeds. I could not manage to continue with them, as I had no spare money to purchase the seeds and other inputs."

"I almost went back to construction work, but a broker came by and asked me to grow French beans for him. He promised to help me with seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. The broker supported many poor farmers with inputs but his price for the beans is too low. He always pays at 20 Shillings per kilo and subtracts all the costs of the inputs before giving the farmer the balance of his money. But still, a deal is better than no deal at all, and this sustained my family. I even managed to expand my land from 1/3 of an acre to an acre. I also managed to buy a calf, which now has grown to a big cow and bore a calf. Apart from the cow and expanding my land, I have not managed to save any money. The money I got was only enough for food, clothing, and rent for my house (400 Shillings/month) and farm land (2000 Shillings/acre for six months)."

Even under these circumstances, Patrick, a born-again Christian who serves as a senior deacon in his church, shares with others whatever he could spare. "I have long discovered that for God to bless me, I also have to give, and so I give part of what I get from the farm to the church. And finally, I saw the hand of God when Vipani came to Maragua town late last year. I had heard about it from many people, and I was glad that I was recruited to join the family of Vipani."

Patrick is a determined man. He had put the opportunity offered by Vipani to maximum use, using his first income to expand his land by renting an additional 1 1/4 acres, bringing his farm to 2 1/4 acres. He wants to transform his farming into a lucrative family business. "I intend to buy my own land, build a house and make a better living, and these will come from my earnings from Vipani. I made the highest ever sales in Vipani from tilling one acre of land, and now with my farm expanding to 2 1/4 acres, I am bound for even greater things."

"I have never owned a bank account; now I have opened a savings account with the help of Vipani. I have managed to deposit 17,000 Shillings from my earnings. I put the rest of my earnings into preparing my farm for more crops with Vipani. I want to plant tomatoes, onions and chilies to diversify."

"My wife was overjoyed when I told her of my earnings. We have never seen such an amount of money before. Since she is my partner, not only in the house but also in the farm, I will buy a gift for her that she will live to remember."

"My son who is in the seventh grade is also very happy; he is trying his best in his studies because now, we can afford secondary school education for him. Previously, he did not feel motivated because he did not think I will ever get the money to pay for his education, but he has changed. He has also been helping in the farm but I want him to concentrate on his education as I can afford to employ farm help."

"Vipani has opened opportunities for us, but personal drive will eventually make us grow. I'm sure I will be among those who will succeed", Patrick says confidently.