Murphy Agriculture, a dealer in certified Seeds, crop protection and nutrition and animal health and nutrition products, has been in the agricultural space for close to six decades, since 1958, and prides itself on being among the pioneers of Kenya’s Agricultural sector sustainable development.
Speaking on their wealth of
experience as the farmers’ best companion, Ms Rahab Wanjiku the Technical Sales and Marketing Manager, says Murphy’s products relate very well with customers, and farmers are assured of quality products.
“As you can see, the consumers are looking for quality food that is quite safe. We are therefore on the forefront in training farmers on good agriculture practices. We are also keen on developing bio products for nutrition and control of pests. Ideally, the care for the farmer is not just for the large producers but also for the small-scale farmers. Consequently, Murphy Agriculture has introduced a new product called, New Gel (Biodegradable hydrating agent), meant to ease the strain of climate change on water availability and boost yields despite intermittent and unpredictable rainfall.
New Gel that is targeted to keep the soil moist by not only retaining moisture but also soil nutrients. This cutting-edge product offers a solution to farmers in arid and semi-arid areas, areas receiving low rainfall, and those who rely on irrigation as it reduces irrigation frequency and water consumption.
“It is quite beneficial with the changes in the climate and farmers will gain a lot in this. If you look into the fruit farmers (mangoes, avocados, citrus farmers, passion etc), Forestry, lawns and flower gardens, floriculture, coffee, tea, and cereals and legumes, this is a product that will have positive impacts on their yields and reduced cost of irrigation.” Rahab says.
Murphy Agriculture does not just sell a product to you but walks the journey with the farmer.
“We have a qualified technical team,that offers advisory services to our farming community, in all aspects of farming, including animal health and nutrition. We have a veterinary doctor who leads in this, and we can advise farmers accordingly. And that’s a big, big plus. Moreover, our staff can come to the farm and provide professional assessment and advice.”
With the market awash with substandard products, Murphy offers a range of quality products, tried and tested not only in Kenya but by a team of researchers and farmers around the world. Another new product introduced in the market is Root Plus. It is an excellent biological product containing organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with essential amino acids crucial for crop growth. These components play a vital role in stimulating crop development, particularly during the early growth stages. By promoting strong root formation, Root Plus helps increase root biomass, ensuring healthier and more robust crops.
The company is conversant with the market dynamics and is currently transitioning from synthetic to organic products to further environmental sustainability and foster food security.
“One of the biggest challenges in agriculture is when farmers face difficulties marketing their produce, even after achieving a successful crop. This issue not only affects the individual farmer but also has a ripple effect across the entire agricultural value chain. If farmers struggle to sell their produce, they may not have the enough resources or motivation to do farming in the next cropping season. Additional burdens, such as newly imposed taxes, further threaten the agricultural sector. Ultimately, these challenges undermine food production, leading to broader concerns about food security, which affects everyone,” Rahab says.
Madam Rahab further says that taxing essential agricultural inputs, such as seeds and foliar fertilizers, creates problems right from the start. Seeds are fundamental to farming, and placing taxes on them undermines the entire process from the beginning.
Similarly, foliar fertilizers, which farmers rely on to achieve optimal yields, are also being taxed. These additional costs hinders production, making it difficult for farmers to maintain effective food production, turning agriculture into a growing challenge.
Despite the prevailing challenges, Rahab is encouraging farmers to double down and take advantage of the advent of technology and farm inputs to increase their yields.
“I call upon all those doing farming in their traditional way to try the new ways by adopting new technologies. At Murphy Agriculture, we will walk the journey with you.”
