Ruth Wambui – Building Climate Resilience Through Innovative Farming 

Ruth’s journey began in 2012 with an initial loan of 30,000 Kenyan shillings from Juhudi Kilimo, to start a small pig farm. However, success was not immediate, with some setbacks that threatened her fledgling business.  

“I faced some big challenges, including losing some of my livestock to disease. It was a tough time,” Ruth recalls.  

Undeterred, Ruth leveraged her partnership with Juhudi Kilimo to secure additional loans over the years, including 70,000 and eventually 150,000 Kenyan shillings. With these, she expanded her operations, purchasing cows, more pigs and sowing a variety of crops. 

“With each loan, I’ve been able to grow my business," she explains. “I’ve expanded my operations by introducing a kitchen garden and raising chickens. For example, I now have a breeding machine that helps me with my poultry." 

Building a Diverse Business  

One of Ruth’s notable achievements is the introduction of Swedish ducks to her farm, which are in high demand. “I can sell a duck for 10,000 shillings, while the smaller ones go for 5,000,” she explains. Her poultry venture is not only profitable but also sustainable, as she implements organic practices, using manure from her livestock to enrich the soil for her crops. 

She has also developed her poultry business to include ornamental birds, such as the Ugandan crown bird, which she can sell for a high price. 

One of the most exciting developments in Ruth's farm is her vertical garden. She proudly shows the spinach and kale crops she is currently growing in the compact, stacked garden system that requires little water—a creative solution for an area hit hard by water shortages. 

This method helps to reduce evaporation and runoff, making it easier to manage her crops even during dry spells. By elevating her plants, Ruth not only protects them from pests and soil-borne diseases but also creates a microclimate that can help mitigate the impacts of extreme weather conditions.   

“It makes a lot of sense. We use less water compared to traditional methods, and it has helped me to grow my crops well even when it’s dry,” she explains.  

The team visiting Ruth are impressed by this ingenuity and suggest this is something that could be replicated for other customers – Ruth seems very pleased with this and explains she is more than happy to teach the members of her loan group. 

Ruth has dealt with additional challenges due to unpredictable weather patterns, with erratic rainfall leading to crop losses. Yet, she remains optimistic and adaptive. "I am now focused on growing more avocados," she shares. “They are less affected by seasonal changes and provide a steady income.”  

With the rise in avocado production in Kenya, and two local plants collecting avocados both for export and processing, Ruth—with her business acumen— recognizes the potential for stable profitability. 

Facing the Elements  

Ruth’s water tank, which she purchased with a loan from Juhudi, enables her to manage her water resources efficiently and maintain her crops, even in challenging climate conditions.  

"I put money into water storage to keep my farm going through the dry season. It’s made a big difference,” she explains. 

When we ask if there’s anything she feels is missing, she mentions she would be keen to look at options to pipe water to her crops – the Juhudi loan officer is quick to point out that Juhudi offer irrigation systems and can help with this. 

Through Juhudi, Ruth has also invested in solar panels and a clean cooking stove, reducing her reliance on conventional energy sources. This shift not only helps in cost savings but gives her an even source of power during frequent power outages.  

“Now I can cook during the day without using firewood, and it has saved me money,” says Ruth. 

She’s also appreciative of the time she also saves with the clean stove – the alternative is using charcoal or firewood to power her stove, which she must take time out of her busy day to collect. 

Improvement in quality of life 
The impact of her partnership with Juhudi Kilimo has been profound. Ruth reports significant improvements in her quality of life since she began receiving loans and support from the organization. She has been able to build a permanent home for her family, acquire additional rental properties, and invest in her children’s education.  

Ruth proudly states, “Since partnering with Juhudi Kilimo, my life has really improved. I didn’t even have a permanent house when I first got my loan. Now, I have built a home and rental houses that give me extra income.”  

Her increased income and rent from her rental houses have given Ruth financial independence. “I was able to pay for my children’s education without needing loans for school fees,” she explains. 

As she looks to the future, Ruth aims to further expand her farming operations 

“I feel confident now in making decisions for my farm and for my family’s future,” she explains.