Agribusiness farmer training: Learning from an agritourism pioneer

By Bob Aston

Dimcom Eden Villa Estate in Sipili, Laikipia West Sub County is set to play host to 70 farmers drawn from 10 locations in Laikipia West Sub County on March 5, 2016. The convergence of the farmers will enable them to learn about agribusiness and specifically agritourism.

The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ex-Participants Alumni of Kenya (JEPAK) in collaboration with Laikipia County Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has organized the workshop to enable farmers learn from Mr. Charles Mureithi, Dimcom Eden Villa Estate owner and to enable farmers in Laikipia West replicate the climate smart Agriculture technology adopted by Mr. Mureithi.

Visitors tour Dimcom Eden Villa Estate on August 24,2015.PHOTO:Suleiman Mbatiah

The agribusiness farmer training will bring together ten farmers each from Sipili, Ol-Moran, Muhotetu, Ndurumo, Kinamba, Wangwachi, and Gituamba. Representatives from Sipili are from Dimcom, Upper Naibrom, Kio, Leleshwa, Marura, Kahuruko, Mahiga, Mbogoini, and Lower Naibrom.

Dimcom Eden Villa Estate is among the few farms in Africa involved in Green Tourism. Tourists are able to visit the farm at a fee and enjoy hands-on experiences as well as the delicacy of different fruits. It is also a learning centre for farmers, researchers, and students eager to learn about fruit farming.

Fruits available in the farm include loquats, pineapples, avocados, pawpaws, lemons, white sapote, cherimoya, tangerine, pomegranate, watermelons, passion fruits, tree tomatoes, bananas, apples, oranges, and grapes.

JEPAK hopes that the training on Agribusiness will change the perception of smallholder farmers on agriculture as a business and that the exposure received will enable them move from subsistence farming.

JEPAK is an association, which draws its membership from JICA sponsored courses like the One Village, One Product (OVOP) programme. In collaboration with JICA, they have been organizing various activities across the Country to give back to the community, on voluntary basis knowledge and skills learned in Japan.

The Agribusiness farmer workshop will start at 10: 00 am on March 5, 2015 at Dimcom Eden Villa Estate in Sipili, Laikipia West Sub County.