On July 17 2017 the construction of the long awaited farm finally began. In the first week there were 10 workers present who started clearing the land. The Masai people have dedicated a total of 18 hectare of land to the project which they call «Acacia Camp».
The arrival of the tractor in the following week accelerated the work progress.
Schoolkids are curiously observing the consctruction progress.
The fencing of the farm started on July 25, 2017. 43 Masai men were ready to take up work at the farm. Unfortunately, they had to be informed that there only 10 men could be granted a job at the farm. We hope that the project will grow soon!
Until August 20, 2017 500 aloe vera plants were planted alongside the 1 km border of the Acacia Camp. The sap of the aloe vera should be used to produce a soothing cream.
The stables slowly are taking form as well.
On August 28,2017 Giorgio Girella went cattle shopping at the Gogar Farm. This farm is owned by an Englishman who has been living in Kenya since 1949 and today owns 16.2 km2 of land with 1.100 cows. Giorgio bought a total of 20 cows of which two were in calf. The first calf of the Acacia Camp will be born in November and the second calf is due in March 2018.
10 days later the cows, including pedigree, were delivered to Olpirikata.
Finally at home!
On September 8, 2017 a total of 40 liters were milked and sold at the Kajiado market for 0.70 Cents per liter. Consequently, seven men earned 3 Euro a day. On the same evening 28 liters of milk were sold directly to the population of Olpirikata who were queuing in front of the farm to buy milk.
The following week marked the beginning of the planting. The milk production has started very well. Every cow gives approximately 10 liters a day – usually the fine tuning of nutrition and milk production takes at least a month. Currently, the milk does not even be brought to the Kajiado market to be sold as people from other communities such as Karero, Ilailupa and Rruya are coming to Olpirikata to buy milk.
On September 28th 2017 was payday and the men were very proud of their work and the milk produced.
Lorenzo is a student at the University of Milan and writes his thesis on the project. The positive progress of the project is also owed to him and his commitment.
There is even a set of rules which has been established for the management of the stables which appear to be extremely clean and organized. The cleanliness is partly due to the men non having been paid for a week after disrespecting the rule of cleanliness.
The first vegetables have been planted and the first harvest will take place in a month time. Stay tuned.
