Innovative Development that Increases Income and Food Security

In the past, microfinance has been defined as small monetary loans, usually given to individuals who are part of a group, which holds the responsibility of repayment. Village HopeCore International intends to change this definition by offering the villagers of Chogoria loans in the form of greenhouses. This innovative approach to development will not only increase our clients’ incomes but will also increase the food security of the greater Chogoria region. Currently, the capital costs of erecting a greenhouse are out of the reach of the average Kenyan farmer. They are simply a tool of the rich. HopeCore will change this by offering greenhouses to groups of 12 small-scale farmers.

Why Greenhouses?

Greenhouses are an agricultural technology that allows farmers to cultivate a wide variety of crops in a climate-controlled area. These structures, made of a wooden or metal frame and UV-treated plastic cover, allow farmers to control temperature, humidity, and water flow. Thus protecting crops from drought, flood, wind, pests, disease, and even climate change. Greenhouses also allow farmers to produce more crops on less land than traditional farming. In the Chogoria region, tradition follows that sons inherit land from their fathers. After years of following this tradition, families are now cultivating very small plots of land. This has left families struggling to produce enough food to eat and sell. Greenhouse technology helps combat smaller plot sizes and loss of arable land.

More production on less land also means more income for the farmer. The income per year earned by one 8X15 meter greenhouse producing tomatoes exceeds the income from one acre of field-grown tomatoes. Furthermore, greenhouse-grown crops mature faster than their outdoor-grown counterparts. For example, greenhouse-grown tomatoes mature in only two months, compared to three months for outdoor-grown tomatoes. Additionally, greenhouse-grown crops last longer than their outdoor-grown counterparts. These longer shelf lives allow for more time to transport crops to food-scarce areas.

Why wooden greenhouses?

HopeCore has chosen to loan their groups wooden greenhouses. This cheaper, more environmentally friendly option has the potential to inspire copycat greenhouse structures. Unlike metal, wood is readily available in the Chogoria area. Group members and community members alike can look at the greenhouse structure as something they can replicate using materials available close to home.

What will the project look like?

Groups of 12 villagers, primarily women, will be lent two 8X15 meter greenhouses. Greenhouses will include a wooden skeleton, UV-treated plastic cover, mesh “windows”, two water tanks complete with drip-irrigation systems, and all of the seeds, manure, and other small supplies needed for the first growing season. Groups will receive on-site training on how to maintain their greenhouses and crops, how to run their agricultural endeavors as businesses, and advice on marketing. Groups will use a crop rotation method to preserve soil nutrients. They will grow tomatoes, hot peppers, sweet peppers, onions, French beans, and many other crops. Groups will repay the cost of the greenhouses, with very little interest, so that HopeCore can provide greenhouses to more villagers. Check back next month for more updates and pictures!

Written by Caroline Gimmillaro, Greenhouse Project Founder