Kenyans are used to major crops such as maize, beans, sorghum and so on. Few years ago, they were not very much conversant with commercial farming.
In fact this kind of farming used to be undertaken in high rainfall areas where farmers would grow coffee and tea.
When the Mwai Kibaki regime took power, it started emphasizing on ‘kilimo biashara’ issue. Slowly, Kenyans started taking in the business and as we speak, many are doing a lot of farming.
Research showed that many youths have indulged into watermelon farming under irrigation system.
A young man by the name Ken Kilifi is a great youth who is doing watermelon farming as his employment. He has inspired many and has even created several whats-app groups where young farmers are sharing ideas on farming.
A group by the name ‘watermelon masters’ on Facebook has got followers who have learnt a lot from this young farmer who does all season farming in Kilifi.
In Homa Bay County, I came across young farmer, Brenda Acheing, who started farming last year.
According to her, farming of watermelon can return more than Sh400,000 in three months when expenditures have been subtracted per acre of land.
Indeed young people should rise up and see farming as an opportunity to get themselves money. Watermelon does well in low altitude areas.