When you mention the name Gilad Milo, the first thing that comes to most Kenyans is the song ‘Unajua’ that went viral across the country a few years ago.
The song which Gilad did in collaboration with Wendy Kimani and which has garnered over 8 million views on YouTube, helped him build a name in the Kenyan entertainment scene and the corporate world.
While many know Gilad as a musician, he prefers referring to himself as a jack of all trades as he’s been involved in many different activities.
Gilad is a former Diplomat having served as deputy head of mission at the Israel Embassy in Kenya. Prior to that, he had served as a journalist.
Gilad venturing into farming
In early 2020, just before Covid-19 hit the country, Gilad ventured into farming after being influenced by a friend.
Together, they established Ole Raha garlic farm in Isinya, Kajiado County, and have already had three successful harvests.
Speaking during a past interview, Gilad underscored that although he had been around agriculture for close to ten years, he had not personally engaged in it until 2020.
Towards the end of 2021, Gilad and his partners had already had three successful harvests.
On the farm, Gilad and his partners have currently planted two types of garlic; Rwanda giant and African giant, although he notes that they have also worked with Arusha garlic and the returns were great.
File image of renowned musician and farmer Gilad Milo. [Photo: Courtesy]
Gilad secrets of successful farming
According to him, for one to succeed as a farmer, they need to pay attention to the details. For instance, he notes that consistently removing the weeds and using the right amount of water is very important.
Addressing garlic farming, he noted that the main trick is to ensure you get the right seeds and plant within the perfect period in the germination cycle.
“The secret of growing successful garlic begins with the cloves you plant. That is where most farmers mess up, the plant cloves that are not ready, so they spend a month underground,” he stated, adding that with such a blunder a farmer is not guaranteed of getting a successful harvest.
Additionally, he noted that anyone who is interested and or is practicing farming must create time to visit the farm regularly.
“Be present in the farm, me and my partners are here almost all the time. We visit all the time, we live and breathe what’s happening here,” he opined.
Garlic Returns
While he accepts that farming is demanding and a high-risk venture, Gilad divulged that ever since they began the project, the returns have been good, adding that they have been able to sell all their produce.
“So far, we’ve sold everything we’ve got our hands on. We haven’t had any problem selling, there is enough demand. We haven’t encountered challenges in the market, the Kenyan market absorbs good quality garlic,” he divulged.
On the average returns one can get from garlic farming, Gilad noted that an acre requires an investment of around Sh300,000, adding that the least returns one can get is Sh600,000, meaning they would have doubled their original investment.
As a way of expanding the business, Gilad says they are looking into possibilities of venturing into value addition, adding that the goal is to probably have a garlic paste.
Gilad the mentor
Since he ventured into farming, Gilad has been using his social media platforms to mentor young Kenyans interested in the practice.
He says most people have shown interest and have been visiting the farm for learning activities. In his view, agriculture is a key activity which when fully explored, especially by the youth can lead to an economic turnaround in the country.
“My Facebook page has transformed from a music platform to a place where we are talking about garlic and agriculture. . I believe that if the youth of Kenya get involved in it, they will impact the economy, it is a revolution waiting to happen,” he divulged.
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