Juja businessman and former 2022 parliamentary candidate, Mr. J.M., has found fulfillment and success in agriculture after an unsuccessful bid for political office. Despite not securing a seat in the Juja Parliamentary race, Mr. J.M. has turned his focus to farming, where he has become a model of determination and resilience.
The Mount Kenya Times visited his home in Juja Farm, where we found the humble and generous businessman deeply immersed in his diverse agricultural ventures. Mr. J.M. runs a successful farm that includes dairy cattle, pig farming, chicken farming, and crop cultivation. His farm features ten high-yielding dairy cattle and a thriving piggery, and he is also engaged in irrigation-based rice farming, alongside growing pumpkins, maize, and various fruits.
In a conversation with us, Mr. J.M. shared his belief in the power of agriculture to create wealth, especially for young people. "Apart from the hullabaloo of the high-octane politics, I ventured full-time into livestock and crop farming," he said. "In farming, patience is required. You have to inject the necessary input and be patient while waiting for the outcome. Eventually, the outcome is always rewarding."
He also highlighted the importance of value addition, explaining that he processes high-value dairy products like yogurt from his raw milk, which generates significant income. “This has been a key strategy in maximizing the potential of my farm,” he noted.
Mr. J.M. is a passionate advocate for youth involvement in agriculture. He encouraged young people to take advantage of the lucrative opportunities in farming, but also emphasized the need for persistence. "The youth must understand that success in agriculture requires hard work, patience, and a long-term commitment,” he advised.
Furthermore, he called on the government to offer more tangible support to youth venturing into agribusiness. "I would like to urge the Government that in its well-meant interventions to help the youth, kindly fund them with some tangible amount of money. For example, a group of ten youths can be given Ksh 1 million to use as seed capital to start agribusiness ventures. This could help them become successful entrepreneurs," he said.
Beyond his own success, Mr. J.M. is dedicated to giving back to the community. He donates a portion of his maize harvest to the needy, especially during tough economic times, and he encourages fellow farmers to visit his farm to learn best practices. "My farm is open for other farmers to come and benchmark. I want them to learn the best practices so they too can achieve maximum output," he concluded.
Mr. J.M. is a testament to the potential of agriculture as a path to success and self-sufficiency, and his story serves as an inspiration to many in the community.