Trouble as farmhand refuses to take orders

It is that time of the year when maize farmers are carrying out various management practices that include gapping, top-dressing and weeding.

I have not been left behind. Wekesa, my farmhand, was recently gapping the maize. Gapping involves replacing seeds that never germinated to ensure maximum utilisation of space.

“Mkulima, we need 10 casual labourers for two days for weeding and top-dressing,” Wekesa informed me a day after he completed gapping with some workers, making me suspend my other plans.

I went for the fertiliser from Makanya’s agrovet, the first one in Mashambani. That day, I saved him from embarrassment when an inquisitive farmer asked him what the letters NPK meant.

“Haya ni majina tu ya biashara,” Makanya had answered while dismissing her.I had to intervene after the lady insisted that they must have a meaning.

“Any bag with NPK means it’s a compound fertiliser made from mixing two or more of macro-nutrients,” I started explaining.

“The letters refer to Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) and always appear in that order, representing the percentage within that package of each component,” I added as I requested for CAN fertiliser for my top-dressing.

SUBSIDISED FERTILISER

“For your information, Nitrogen (N) helps the crop grow above the ground by promoting the green leafy foliage that’s why its commonly used for top-dressing,” I continued. 

“Phosphorus (P), on the other hand, is very effective at establishing growth of crops below the ground by promoting healthy root systems. It is also the component most responsible for flower blooms and fruit production.”

“Finally, Potassium (K) is considered important for overall plant health. This is because of its ability to help build strong cells within the plant tissue. In turn, the plants withstand various stresses such as heat, cold, pests and diseases,” I concluded.

“Why are you buying CAN?” the lady asked after noticing my choice.

“CAN means Calcium Ammonium Nitrate and works well for all types of crops for pre-planting or as a top-dressing application and it’s recommended for early application in maize,” I said.

“It’s an excellent source of nitrogen, which is readily available to plants due to its solubility,” I continued.

“CAN is the recommended fertiliser for top-dressing since it has more concentration of Nitrogen, which is good for vegetative growth,” I explained.

“Mkulima, I need more time with you,” said the lady.

She explained why she was fed up with the government’s subsidised fertiliser, which involves travelling to the chief, to the National Cereals and Produce Board and the bank.

“You are welcome to Mkulima Mixed Farm any time,” I said as I boarded a boda boda with my bags of fertiliser. I found nine women on the farm weeding as they waited for the fertiliser and I became suspicious.

“Why do we have only women?” I asked Wekesa as he offloaded the fertiliser.

WOMEN'S JOB

“Women are the best for weeding,” he answered.

“And why are they nine instead of 10?” I asked.

“One of them is in the kitchen cooking for the rest,” answered Wekesa.

“So you got an extra lady to cook?” I asked.

“Yes! You expected me to cook for them?” answered Wekesa with rage. “But you know we don’t have money to ‘waste’ on a cook,” I answered.

“My culture doesn’t allow a man like me, with two wives and several children, to cook for women,” he said.

I was in that argument when Mzee Jeremiah and Wakageorge arrived. “Mkulima, where is our money?” asked Mzee Jeremiah.

“Everyone says that after Dr Mike’s delegation visited your farm, he gave you some cash for wazees,” said Wakageorge. “I was not given any money,” I answered, almost shouting.

They sensed danger and left. I turned back to Wekesa and told him to cook for the women and reduce their number by half. He declined and walked to the dairy unit.