From fifty to eighty percent survival: A youth group improves seedling production with solar water storage.
We deliver practical, online training adapted to each group or business. Greener energy. Financial literacy. Climate resilience. No generic modules. After training, graduates may access green loans at 8–11% through our partner lenders.
Kibera, Nairobi County
Brian Otieno was tired of watching his seedlings die.
A group of six young individuals from Kibera and Dagoretti decided to lease a half-acre plot along the beautiful Ngong River valley. They set out to cultivate indigenous seedlings, medicinal herbs, and plants that attract pollinators. Their clientele included schools, hotels, and conservation organizations. The issue they faced wasn’t a lack of demand; it was the survival rate of their seedlings. Unfortunately, half of them perished before they could reach a size suitable for sale.
Eager to improve, they participated in our training sessions, which emphasized the importance of germination media and managing water stress. They discovered that seedlings require consistent moisture but can’t tolerate being waterlogged. They learned how to create the perfect mix of coconut coir, compost, and sand to retain water without suffocating the roots. Additionally, they figured out how to price their seedlings based on size and species rather than just guessing. They found out that while medicinal herbs fetch a higher price than indigenous trees, they also take longer to grow; a tradeoff that was new to them.
After completing the training, they applied for a loan of KES 100,000 at an interest rate of 9.5 percent. With this, they purchased a 3,000-liter water tank, a solar pump, and materials for gutter collection. The first pump they received turned out to be underpowered, so they returned it and had to wait three weeks for a replacement.
Now, their seedling survival rate has jumped from fifty to eighty percent! The solar pump fills the tank in less than an hour. On cloudy days, they still have to carry some water by hand, but the tank provides a much-needed buffer that they didn’t have before. Their best month so far has brought in KES 35,000. They’re still figuring out what a typical month looks like since their system has only been operational for five months.
Loan: Group Enterprise Loan – KES 100,000 at 9.5% over 9 months
Green tech: 3,000 litre water tank + solar pump
Circular economy: Seed banking + mulch from farm waste + seedling restoration loop
