Interview with Johnson Kimani and Marcel Bony

May 2025 :

 Hello Johnson (*),

 Hello Marcel (**),

 (*) Johnson Kimani is the farmer of the pilot farm for the Sipik projects.

 He has created the Nakithegu Community and he is the Chairman;

 (**) Marcel Bony has funded the Terres En Eaux Association after a trip to Kenya in January 2024. He is President of the Nakithegu Community.

 1-At the beginning of May 2025, where are you with the Sipik 2 project?

Johnson: The Sipik 2 project is almost complete, with the installation of the water reservoir, which took place in April. Funding remains to be found for the purchase and installation of the liner for the main 1 million-liter water reservoir upstream of the irrigation system, which is now installed and operational 24/7, regardless of the weather. The anti-evaporation net will also be added to limit evaporation during the day.

Marcel: The Sipik 2 project is indeed almost complete, and we can now demonstrate the proper functioning of all the equipment. The solar pump, in particular, has raised the water to more than 6 meters to completely fill the intermediate 10,000-liter reservoir. Note: it is possible to irrigate by gravity or directly by bypassing the tank.

2-What have you learnt and how do you qualify the Sipik project at this stage?

Johnson: We have worked step by step, hands in hands with the great support of our suppliers. We learnt a lot from the pump to the dripping system. The experts helping us all along the various installations have given us the right advices and have been very present.

Marcel: Indeed, what we learnt will be very useful for the next steps of the project with the installation of the same equipment to the members/farmers of the Nakithegu community

3-What will be next after The Sipik2 project?

Johnson: We are ready for the Sipik500 project. The objective is to equip at least 5 farmers with the pumping and the solar system including its monitor before end of 2025

Marcel: Sipik500 has been initiated as Sipik2 is almost finished.Mid-term, It will directly benefit to 150 farmers of the Neyri county all members of the Nakithegu CBO.

4-Why do you think the Sipik500 will be a success:

Johnson: As said above, we learnt a lot. The farmers receiving the equipment will be fully helped. Sipik500 will allow the Nakithegu members to valorize their production and to start new valuable activities like Rabbit breeding.

Marcel: Sipik500 is the natural next step of the successful Sipik1 and Sipik2 projects. The funds received will be directly used to buy equipments step by step for 150 farmers. Our 2 selected suppliers will continue to offer a top call after sales service to each farmer of the county.

5- Johnson: what has been the most recent progress of the CBO Nakithegu?

Johnson: To initiate asap the Sipik500 project, we propose to equip first 5 farmers with pump and the solar panels and monitor. As all selected farmers have already a dam, the irrigation will be possible as soon as the equipment is installed hopefully in 5 farms before end of the year. The engagement of each farmer is to take in charge all installation and labor work: this corresponds to roughly half of the cost of the equipment needed for proper irrigation directly from the pump.