Beatrice Wangui Kariuki

Submitted by Krista Toner, 4th year vet student
February 2, 2006

This morning before the opening of the new laboratory, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of the board members of the Wakulima Self Help Dairy Group, Beatrice Wangui Kariuki. She is currently milking seven cows, which is one of the largest farms that we have visited since our arrival in Ichamara, Kenya. In the past she also had an organic fruit farm as part of her business, but recently she lost her fruit to a fungus. Beatrice is planning to plant more fruit to replace those she lost. She is a very progressive farmer and knowledgeable in Mukurwe-ini’s current agricultural challenges.

In speaking with Beatrice she had nothing but good things to say about Farmers Helping Farmers and the changes that she has seen in her community since Farmers Helping Farmers teamed up with the Wakulima Self Help Group. She thinks that the Wakulima farmers are more interested in cows and are working very hard to become sustainable dairy farmers and to incorporate some of our suggestions into their farm. One new concept, which they are proud to have incorporated is the zero grazing method of feeding. Most animals are housed in wooden “shambas” (farm), and napier grass is cut and brought to the animals.

Beatrice was very enthusiastic when she told me that, “From the time Farmers Helping Farmers came, there is an improvement in reducing mastitis because of the new laboratory. “I’ve seen the changes in milk quality and an increase in production”. She feels that the increase in milk production and quality has been a direct result from the education of the farmers in proper nutrition and milking habits. Beatrice commented that not only has the increase in milk production impacted the family income, but also nutrition for their children. She said that “some farmers are able to harvest milk three times a day and because we sell twice daily, the third milking we are able to drink at home. Most importantly, more children are able to get enough milk.”

Beatrice feels that the Wakulima Self Help Group is an inspiration to “farmers from other countries who are interested to know how they can be educated to grow their own crops on small shambas”. She feels that her association with the Farmers Helping Farmers has not only helped members of the Wakulima Self Help Dairy Group, but also given her the ability to share her knowledge with outside farmers, especially in their way of living.

It was a pleasure to talk with such a determined and intelligent lady. I think that she is a great asset to the Wakulima Dairy Group, and is very active in increasing the quality of farming in Mukurwe-ini. Because her enthusiasm was to be envied, it made ending our conversation difficult! But when we finally parted she said to me “we (Farmers Helping Farmers and Wakulima self help dairy) have made a forever friendship”.