The use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides would possibly increase yields. Still, these inputs are out of reach to many small-scale farmers as they require capital and risk environmental pollution. Farmers are, therefore, being encouraged to turn to organic farming to improve their yield production. Agri Flora Organic Solutions is an early-stage company trying to promote this farming.
Agriflora, which was incorporated in 2016, uses fully decomposed animal and plant waste to process organic fertilizers. The company provides clients with safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally sound products.
“We manufacture a slow-release fortified organic fertilizer known as Asili granulated fertilizer. It has carbon-based compounds; Calcium, Zinc, Manganese, Magnesium, Iron, Molybdenum, Selenium, and many others that help improve plant quality. Due to balanced nutrients, our fertilizer increases plants’ productivity under healthy soil and reduces toxic load by keeping chemicals out of the air, water, and soil,” said Albert Kamau, the company’s director, and maintenance manager.
As a company, they want to help address the problem of soil degradation, which has been on the rise, and provide solutions to farmers in a country which mainly depends on agriculture to achieve food security.
“Our main objective is to encourage agro-ecosystem health among farmers in the region and the nearby counties such as Nyandarua, Baringo, and Samburu, with our main target group being potato farmers. This includes biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity,” he added.
He demystifies the misconception that organic farming is not productive by pointing to evidence of increased productivity due to transitioning from the low input systems usually found in third-world countries.
“We have received positive feedback from farmers who use our organic fertilizers; to them, organic agriculture has drastically contributed to protecting the natural resource and environment and has ensured sustainable food production. They are certain this kind of farming will lead to full self-reliance on food soon,” he said.
Due to the increasing demand for their organic fertilizers, Agriflora has partnered with Kenya Climate Ventures, KCV, to help them roll out a large-scale production of fertilizers.
“We look forward to expanding our manufacturing plant because we realized many farmers are now using our products, which means we have to increase our productivity,” he added.
Since Kenya mainly depends on Agriculture to achieve food security, as a company, they want to help address the problem of soil degradation, which has been on the rise and provide solutions to farmers.
KCV has offered Agriflora business advisory services and supported them financially to continue producing quality organic manure.
Pamela Okutoyi is a development communications professional.
