Maji Mazuri owns farm of land around the primary school near Kiserian and had leased a further 17acres of adjacent land for 10 years at a nominal rent from a well wisher. The land is excellent for growing vegetables and fruits but has lacked consistent water supply. A neighboring farm with a borehole and an irrigation system is highly profitable.

Fortunately, funds to drill a borehole on Maji Mazuri’s own land were obtained and an abundant supply of good quality water was found.

A generator has been purchased and a building to house it and support elevated water tanks is under construction with a completion date of August 2004. It is hoped to fund a pump and water tanks in the next two months which will enable a start to be made with farming and with providing much needed water- at a modest fee- to the local Masai community whose cattle herds are threatened by a severe draught.

As more funds are obtained, the area of irrigated cultivation will be expanded; the farm has great potential to make a major impact on Maji Mazuri Programs:

• A range of vegetables and fruit for consumption by the children’s, teachers and staff in the primary school, the Headstart Program and the Children’s Home.

• substantial income from the sale of cash crops in both the domestic and export markets (the neighboring farmer exports passion fruit to the UK)

• a facility for agri-business training for those graduates of the primary school not going on to secondary school, for some of the youth in the youth group and for members of the local community.

Strategies

The following strategies are recommended to improve the profitability of success of the farm project: