18.2.2025: Visit to the Maroroni Farm and the Dolly River Farm in Usa River.
The large Maroroni Farm, comprising 100 Ha, exists for 3 years. Before, there was completely eaten-up Maasai grassland shortly before desertification. With watering and consequent biological farming methods, mainly with compost, in only 3 years this land changed to best farmland. The Maasai that were grazing there herds now got work on the farm, now got work in the farm - depending on the season, between 50 and 150 workers are needed.
Arriving on the farm.
Okra plants.
Okra is a green husk used as vegetable in mediterranean dishes. It starts with yellow flowers; the plant belongs to the mallow group o plants (malvaceae).
Rita, who has studied agricultural biology, guides us and explains everything. She really has very good knowledge.
The pronciple of permaculture, that is realized here, means that cultivation of different plants is mixed, so plants can help each other growing.For example, differetn legumes are planted, which form root knots enriching the soil with nitrogen.
Undergrowth with ground covers, ...
... like sweet potatoes. They are not cropped, but their growth and death of branches means lots of biological material to enrich the soil.
This special sort of grass has very deep roots transporting water from deep to superficial layers, so that a Mango tree can be planted together with the grass which does not have to be watered.
Different agricultural crop is planted close together.
This is no jungle, this is farmland!
Orange-red flowrishing Tagetes, a medicinal plant.
Bananas
Rita explains the plaqnst to Lorli.
The Usa River, which flows down from Mont Meru (in the background), and its water are the basis of the success o this farmland. A bit above, water is branched off in trenches, each abutting owner has the right to open his lock for certain hours within a week to water his fields.
Maasai cows are drinking the water.
Very small cataracts in between.
Plants are put into these holes making connection to deeper layers of soil thus getting water from there.
A huge compost heap. Rough compost takes a few months to get ready in this warm country, ...
... whereas shredded material only needs a few weeks.
Motor shredder
These fields seem to be in their beginning.
Part of the crop is dried for seed production in the shadow beneath a roof. Direct sunshine would decline germinating capacity of the seeds.
We are back at the Dolly Farm and walk down to the Usa River, flowing in a deep ravine there. Beautiful violet bindweed (convolvulus).
Usa River near the Dolly Farm
Usa River
Usa River
Lorli and Wilfried enjoying the landscape along the river.
Violet bindweed
Violet bindweed
We also pay a visit to the smaller Dolly river farm near the Camp, used as an "experimental area" for the large Maroroni.
Sugar cane
A small pond is partly overgrown by water hyacinths. Fish living in the water eat the roots of the plants and with their excretions enrich the water with ammonia, so this water can be used for watering and liquid manuring at the same time.
HIgh growing garss used as wind protecion belt.
This part of the farm is not watered. Plants that grow well are considered to be dry resistant and used to breed dry resistent agricultural crop.
Tagetes, Papaya tree ...
... with growing Papaya fruits.
Salad
Lemon grass
Back to the park of the Dolly River farm camp.
