At the extreme end of Natirae community farm, Peter Epakan is harvesting tomatoes that he grows on a section of his one-acre farm.
Despite a ravaging drought that has affected life here, a canal from River Turkwel has supplied sufficient water to his farm enabling him to continue farming.
Today he has a crate of tomatoes that he is supplying a hotel in Lodwar town 30 kilometers away.
He says his primary market is nearby schools and grocery vendors in Turkwel shopping center.
Epakan says tomatoes are his crop of choice because production is predictable and has a ready market. He shifted to tomato growing three years ago from growing watermelons.
“Watermelon business was good when we used to sell by weight. When that changed watermelon farming wasn’t as good anymore.”
Depending on the crate size and season, Mr. Epakan sells a crate of tomatoes between KES2500 and KES 5000.
He says he reinvests some of the money to his farm and caters o this family’s needs with the rest of the cash.
On his farm, Epakan also grows groundnuts and a variety of vegetables.
