It is a hot and sunny afternoon in Kenol, Murang’a County. To escape the intense heat of the sun, the Seeds of Gold team found a cool spot under an orchard, thanks to the efforts of Julius Waweru, a 30-year-old agribusiness management professional and founder of Ukulima Modern Seedlings and Nurseries.
As we arrived to witness his expertise in growing fruits and his approach to climate action, we found Julius meticulously tending to his tree seedling beds conveniently located along the Thika-Nyeri-Marua highway.
Beside him, another group of farmhands was transplanting tree seedlings for avocados, mangoes and oranges.
“Please give them some fruits while I finish preparing these beds,” Waweru requested his team, and one of them promptly handed us freshly harvested oranges and mangoes.
“These icy fruits will come in handy under the sweltering and oppressive sun,” he added.
Moments later, Waweru joined us to narrate his journey that is fueled by deep commitment to agriculture and climate justice.
With a career rooted in agribusiness management, he has channeled his expertise into growing fruit seedlings and pioneering the Trees for Food and Nature initiative.
“My mission merges passion for nurturing plants with the broader vision of protecting nature for sustainable development through agriculture,” he revealed.
“I have managed to build a team of five young people,” he said. “We’re now growing a diverse range of seedlings, from fruits to indigenous varieties. For every ten fruit seedlings, we plant one indigenous tree of choice.”
Among the fruit seedlings propagated are citrus tree seedlings, pawpaw, avocado, mangoes, apples, macadamias, and passion.
Waweru also distributes herbal seedlings like lemon grass and oregano, among others.
His clients also flock here to collect ornamental tree seedlings, including Italian and lemon Cyprus and Araucaria pine.
“We also sell shade tree seedlings that are either exotic or indigenous,” Waweru expounded.
This young farmer’s dedication has also led him to leverage his social media presence to promote tree planting.
“I’ve used my platforms to lobby and influence more people to plant trees. This has created a wider outreach beyond my county and has sparked numerous offline interactions.”
In addition to his work with seedlings, Waweru has collaborated closely with the Murang’a County Government on various sustainable land management projects.
“We’re encouraging practices that will reclaim our land,” he noted. “From issuing farmers with trees to helping them conserve their soil and water, our efforts aim to promote long-term sustainability and responsible environment management.”
The government's strong push for Kenyans to plant more trees to combat climate change has revitalized his venture with renewed energy and purpose.
As a result, more clients have flocked to his farm to collect the propagated tree seedlings.
Waweru found propagation of the seedlings the best venture owing to his previous years of learning experience at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation's (KALRO) Practical Training Centre.
Then, he was dealing with farmers, and this helped him cultivate a large network of farmers who became his customers when he started his own agribusiness enterprise.
Julius Waweru (left) holds a bunch of bananas grown in his farm together with colleagues Samuel Gitahi, Margaret Mbau, Danson Mwaura and Patrick Mwangi at the Ukulima Modern Seedlings and Nurseries.
Encouraging farmers to plant more trees, particularly fruit seedlings, offered dual benefits.
“By promoting fruit tree planting, we’re helping farmers earn an income and sustain themselves while also encouraging environmental conservation through agroforestry,” Waweru explained.
This approach not only supported their livelihoods but also promoted sustainable land management practices.
Additionally, Waweru discovered a promising niche in working with smallholder farmers.
“Smallholders are ideally positioned to adopt agroforestry practices, especially given the decreasing acreage of land,” he said.
By focusing on fruit tree planting initiatives, he could effectively push for agroforestry and address both productivity and environmental concerns.
His involvement as a youth in the Murang'a County Government initiative also played a crucial role in shaping his approach.
“Being engaged in technical youth roles and technology promotion through projects like the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP), the National Agriculture and Rural Inclusive Growth Project, and the Water Fund Project helped me refine my skills,” he noted.
These projects, which focused on soil and water conservation while providing fruit and fodder tree seedlings, enhanced his ability to work effectively with smallholder farmers and implement sustainable land management practices.
Seedling propagation and tree planting come with a range of challenges that impact efficiency and success.
“Finding high-quality, indigenous seeds, especially for avocados and mangoes, can be particularly challenging,” Waweru noted.
Additionally, obtaining certified, healthy, and viable scions for grafting requires reliable suppliers, which can be a challenge in itself.
To address these challenges, Waweru focuses on building strong relationships with suppliers.
“Ensuring good relationships with suppliers helps me secure reliable sources of seeds and scions,” he said.
Here, proper planning and organization are crucial for operational efficiency.
“We put a lot of effort into planning to ensure our operations run smoothly and efficiently,” he added.
Having a dedicated and reliable team has also enabled him to manage the various aspects of seedling propagation and tree planting effectively.
Sourcing seeds from credible suppliers and staying updated with the latest agricultural technologies and innovations, he says, are also key strategies.
“Staying current with the latest technologies and continually researching new methods helps us maintain our edge,” Waweru explained.
Moreover, establishing good relations with farmers ensures clear communication and smoother management of expectations.
According to Waweru, team building and networking with like-minded agricultural practitioners have provided him with valuable support and insights, further enhancing overall success in the field.
To bolster production and advance sustainability, Waweru has also embraced the growing vegetables such as kale and cultivation of quick-maturing crops like strawberries.
