Silas Ambetsa is a 26 years old Agripreneur in Vegetables production and marketing from East Wanga Ward of Mumias East sub county, Kakamega county. Silas was engaged by Practical Action under the RAY project after assessment of his ALVs enterprise to be fronted as a mentor and attract other young men and women in agriculture through Resilient Agriculture that Works for Young People - RAY project. Previously, Silas was not able to satisfy his market mainly traders and schools where he sells. This is due to challenges related to limited knowledge and skills in production, erratic weather characterized by drought and lack of marketing skills. Silas also acknowledged that he lost interest in leasing land after he was shortchanged twice on land lease period. He was once leased land that was already leased to somebody else. He could not dictate this since there was no formal leasing arrangement. He revealed that when he went to clear the leased piece of land in preparation for planting, he found someone else tilling it. He ended up losing Kshs.7000 that he had invested in land leasing After being onboarded as a mentor, Silas was taken through a 3-day mentorship model training – a model that promotes mentor – mentee engagement leading to aggregation of produce from mentees to meet volumes required in the market. Silas is currently aggregating vegetables from 14 mentees whom he onboarded after the mentorship model training. They have also initiated Youth Savings and Loaning to enable them access finance to invest in their enterprises. He was later introduced to Sunculture Company among other market actors through a business – to – business meeting. He has since acquired the subculture irrigation kit to ensure constant supply throughout the year on a Pay – as – You – Go arrangement. Since our engagement, Silas is now satisfying his market mostly schools and traders within Shanda market through aggregation from his mentees and land leasing. He has increased his acreage from 1 acre to 3 acres under production. Silas is meeting the needs of his siblings like school fees from income earned. His revenue has doubled from an average of Kshs. 25000/= per month to almost Kshs.50,000/= with an average of 10,000 earned per week.
Silas Ambetsa’s farm now serves as a model farm equipped with R.A technologies after being linked to REAL IPM for training and acquisition of organic biofertilizers including conical bags. REAL IPM in partnership with Sanergy and SeedCo established a demo where other project participants and farmers visit to learn. He appreciates RAY project for opening his eyes to see the big picture in agribusiness.
Quote from Silas:
‘’Before RAY, I was planting ordinary seeds but after engagement with input companies, I came to learn about new hybrid varieites like Tausi. I have also interacted with REAL IPM and now using their biofertilizers like GrowPlus and Mazao Flourish. This has led to increase in production and vegetables performance compared to previous before meeting RAY. I have also initiated YSLA in my group to enable us to meet our needs and meet frequently as a group. An idea I leant from RAY. We have opened an account with Equity bank and saving through paybill for 6 months after which we shall qualify for a loan to boost our kitty’’.
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