When Francis Maina worked with a horticultural company in Naivasha back in 2010, he became increasingly concerned about the heavy use of chemical pesticides. While consumers were beginning to demand organic produce and read labels more carefully, farmers around him continued spraying chemicals without considering their harmful effects on human health or the environment.
Francis could not sit back and watch. Inspired by the proverb of the hummingbird fighting a raging forest fire—doing the little it could—he made a bold move. He quit his job in Naivasha and returned home to Gilgil to practice organic farming.
At first, the transition was not easy. Reliable information on organic farming technologies was hard to find. To bridge this gap, Francis began volunteering with Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) as a Community Information Officer. This gave him access to the Infonet-Biovision platform and training resources, which not only supported his own farm but also allowed him to train local farmers.
Before long, his dedication paid off. A vacancy opened at BvAT, and Francis was officially absorbed into the Outreach team as a salaried Community Information Worker (CIW) in Gilgil. Today, he proudly reflects on the impact of his decision:
“When I was in Naivasha, I learnt to cultivate asparagus. So, when I began training farmers on organic farming, I introduced them to organic asparagus production. Unlike chemically grown asparagus, organically produced asparagus sells at a premium—about Ksh 450 per kilo at the farm gate. With up to 20 kilos per harvest per week per acre, farmers have built homes and improved their livelihoods from this crop alone.”
Thanks to organic farming, farmers in Gilgil are now reducing their input costs, since most organic inputs can be sourced locally. This has significantly boosted their profits and resilience. For Francis, the change has been deeply personal:
“I’ve been able to take my daughter back to college and I never lack food, unlike when I worked in Naivasha.”
Francis credits much of this transformation to the knowledge and practical solutions he accesses through Infonet-Biovision and shares with the farmers he supports. His story is a testament to how access to the right information can empower farmers to embrace organic farming, improve incomes, and secure healthier futures for their families.