Economic Potential and Challenges in Kenya’s Muguka Industry
By Gabriella Nashiva
Muguka farming has emerged as a highly profitable venture, surpassing the earnings of its counterpart, miraa. With a maturity time of just six months, muguka can be harvested weekly. In contrast, miraa requires monthly harvesting. The high demand for muguka has resulted in a significant client base, expanding the market reach for farmers. Mwaniki supplies muguka to markets in Mombasa, Malindi, and Garissa counties, but the supply does not meet the soaring demand.
“With one acre of muguka that is ready to harvest, you earn approximately, Sh50,000. In a month, that is Sh200,000, minus expenses incurred, you have approximately, Sh150,000. In four months, you have Sh600,000. In the same four months, on the same 1-acre shamba, you will harvest about 10 ninety kilo bags of maize, let’s say it fetches you Sh150,000, minus expenses incurred you have Sh100,000. That is why muguka is preferred by our people” Mwaniki explains.