Mlango Farm

Country:
Kenya
Why to choose this solution?
Mlango Farm is an agricultural sanctuary where quality and sustainable foods are grown without the use of artificial fertilizers and synthetic pesticides. It produces over 50 different crops (fruits and vegetables). This organic farming helps to eliminate pesticides and chemicals sprayed on plants contaminating the soil, water supply, and air; it reduces pollution of air, soil, food, and groundwater. It also helps reduce public health risks because the produce is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, with less exposure to nitrates and pesticide residues.
Savings per day or production:
Not specified.
Cost in money and in own time to construct:
Not specified.
Lifetime:
Mlango Farm has been operational since the year 2007.
Maintenance needed:
Weeding, watering the crops, picking of fresh produce.
Resources needed in use:
They use a farmland, compost, crop residue, labour.
Problems and limits:
Mlango Farm sits on a slope, thus incurring additional cost for construction of terraces and contours.
Where and how can you get it or make it?
Mlango Farm is situated in Ngecha village in Limuru Kenya.
Skills needed to produce, install. maintenance, use:
Agricultural (fundamentals of farming) skills are required to produce and maintain the crops.
How to use it:
To be added.
How to maintain it:
To be added.
Climate effect (if any):
Not specified.
Where it is used and how many users are there?
All produce are sold in different areas within Nairobi.
Why is it successful?
Mlango Farm attribute their success to understanding the fundamentals of farming, which, according to them, starts with healthy soil. They use compost, crop residue, and crop rotation to enrich the soil. The success of soil care at the farm is evident through the quality of their produce. Many of their customers can attest to the tastiness of their produce.
If you can make it, a short description, typical problems, materials needed.:
Requires farm land, fruit trees, vegetables, and compost.
How to make it (if possible):
Not relevant.
How is it delivered and by whom?
Mlango Farm delivers fresh vegetables to hotels and restaurants in Nairobi and its environs, including farm-share baskets with a variety of vegetables to individuals. Every week they deliver baskets with a variety of vegetables at pickup points, they bring the vegetables to a pickup point in the morning, from which customers can pick up their basket during that day or at whichever time is convenient to them. Customers can sign up for only 950 Ksh per week on http://www.mlango.org/img/signup.pdf and send an email to: baskets@mlango.org. One basket is enough for 4 or 5 meals.
Successful financial model
Collaboration with agricultural experts, Learning from online resources ie Google since the Kamande Njenga and his wife Els Breet both did not have a background in agriculture when they started the farm. Mlango farm foundation aiming to provide children and youth (regardless of socio-economic background) encouraging practical and experimental learning through farm visits for all ages.
What policies and strategies helped the success?
Certification by Encert in 2010. Farm tours at a cost of 1,500 KSh (USD 15) per person (half price for children, and kids under the age of 3 are free).
More info:
http://www.mlango.org/
Sources:
Mlango farm, Limuru Rd, Nairobi. Tel: 0728 848296. E-mail: info@mlango.org
Name of the association uploading the case:
SusWatch Kenya
When was the case uploaded? (YYYY-MM-DD):
2020-09-22