kenthefarmer
Lister
As a farmer in Mwea, a region synonymous with rice farming, many people wonder why I stopped growing Pishori rice. The decision wasn’t easy, but it came after realizing the many challenges that make rice farming less viable for small-scale farmers like me. Here’s why:
High Cost of Production
If you don’t own land, leasing an acre for one season in Mwea costs Ksh 60,000. Add to this the cost of seeds, foliars, fungicides, pesticides (Ksh 30,000–40,000), labor, and security (to protect the crop during the milky stage from birds), and the total production cost easily climbs to Ksh 110,000–130,000 per acre.
While an acre is expected to yield 25–30 bags of 100 kg each, many farmers now only get 18–20 bags due to declining yields. With prices ranging between Ksh 9,200 and 9,700 per bag, profits after four months of hard work are minimal:
18 bags x Ksh 9,200 = Ksh 165,600 (low income).
20 bags x Ksh 9,700 = Ksh 194,000 (high income).
Subtract production costs, and profits range from Ksh 35,600–84,000.
Market Challenges
The market for Pishori rice has also become tricky. Many traders mix Pishori with imported rice, selling it at lower prices in factories. This has made buyers doubt the authenticity of Mwea rice, hurting its reputation.
Additionally, if you harvest and grind your rice immediately, the Pishori aroma is weak. It takes several months of proper drying for the rice to develop its characteristic aroma, but many buyers are unaware of this and judge it prematurely.
Focus on Diversification
For me, shifting to crops like bulb onions, which are less labor-intensive and more profitable, was the best decision. However, rice farming can still be profitable for those doing it on a large scale and the actual landowners.
The real owners of the land have a significant advantage since they don’t incur the Ksh 60,000 leasing cost. They can also farm more effectively by applying manure and managing their land better, something most tenants can’t do.
For tenants, farming is often short-term. You might lease 1 or 2 acres that has already been leased out to different people over the years. You farm for one season, then leave. In such cases, adding manure doesn’t make sense because you won’t benefit in the long term.
Interestingly, even many real landowners nowadays prefer leasing out their land rather than farming it themselves. The guaranteed income from leases is easier and less risky than managing the challenges of rice farming.
~village investor
High Cost of Production
If you don’t own land, leasing an acre for one season in Mwea costs Ksh 60,000. Add to this the cost of seeds, foliars, fungicides, pesticides (Ksh 30,000–40,000), labor, and security (to protect the crop during the milky stage from birds), and the total production cost easily climbs to Ksh 110,000–130,000 per acre.
While an acre is expected to yield 25–30 bags of 100 kg each, many farmers now only get 18–20 bags due to declining yields. With prices ranging between Ksh 9,200 and 9,700 per bag, profits after four months of hard work are minimal:
18 bags x Ksh 9,200 = Ksh 165,600 (low income).
20 bags x Ksh 9,700 = Ksh 194,000 (high income).
Subtract production costs, and profits range from Ksh 35,600–84,000.
Market Challenges
The market for Pishori rice has also become tricky. Many traders mix Pishori with imported rice, selling it at lower prices in factories. This has made buyers doubt the authenticity of Mwea rice, hurting its reputation.
Additionally, if you harvest and grind your rice immediately, the Pishori aroma is weak. It takes several months of proper drying for the rice to develop its characteristic aroma, but many buyers are unaware of this and judge it prematurely.
Focus on Diversification
For me, shifting to crops like bulb onions, which are less labor-intensive and more profitable, was the best decision. However, rice farming can still be profitable for those doing it on a large scale and the actual landowners.
The real owners of the land have a significant advantage since they don’t incur the Ksh 60,000 leasing cost. They can also farm more effectively by applying manure and managing their land better, something most tenants can’t do.
For tenants, farming is often short-term. You might lease 1 or 2 acres that has already been leased out to different people over the years. You farm for one season, then leave. In such cases, adding manure doesn’t make sense because you won’t benefit in the long term.
Interestingly, even many real landowners nowadays prefer leasing out their land rather than farming it themselves. The guaranteed income from leases is easier and less risky than managing the challenges of rice farming.
~village investor
