Suleiman Maundu Ramadhan, an engineer from Tala in Machakos County, has installed irrigation systems to transform arid land into a mixed farming operation. He faced market challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic but now produces tons of onions and tomatoes each season. His farm employs 24 permanent workers.
The Tala area in Machakos County has long been known for its dryness and semi-arid conditions, where farming relies on rain and herders migrate seasonally. However, engineer and farmer Suleiman Maundu Ramadhan has changed this by introducing irrigation technology. As the founder of Ramtek Services Ltd, having studied mechanical engineering and worked in Germany, Maundu turned to farming in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic restricted his work near Nairobi.
He launched Rama Farm Supplies Ltd and cultivated four acres of onions and three of tomatoes, alongside maize and beans to improve soil through crop rotation. The main challenge was water scarcity, so he invested over Sh2.5 million in irrigation systems, including channels, two reservoirs, and electric and solar pumps that deliver up to 600,000 liters daily. Plum Agri Irrigation has contributed to installing these systems.
During the first harvest, onion prices fell below Sh50 per kilo due to Covid-19 restrictions and oversupply, leading to losses for Maundu. The second attempt was adequate, and now over 30 acres are under irrigation. Onions yield 15-20 tons per acre, and tomatoes 30-50 tons. Eighty percent of produce is sold locally in Kenya, with 20% going to Uganda and Tanzania.
"Engineering taught me discipline, planning, and attention to every step. Farming requires the same," says Maundu. Joshua Musyoka, manager at Plum Agri Irrigation, adds, "Drip irrigation is the key to combating food scarcity and hunger, but it must use proper systems installed correctly after thorough site assessment."
The farm now spans 40 acres and provides permanent jobs for 24 workers, plus casual labor during harvests.