Hot on the heels of being crowned Nakuru County champions in 2024, the Sun and Shield Primary and Junior School 4K Club is already getting its hands dirty, preparing for an even more successful 2025 season. This enthusiastic group of young farmers is not just planting seedlings; they are sowing the seeds of food security, scientific innovation, and future leadership.
Under the expert guidance of club patron Mr. Kavehaji Nelson and with the assistance of Mr. Ogola Philemon, the students have kicked off their project with a masterclass in sustainable agriculture. The club’s report details a commitment to advanced farming techniques, reflecting practices that professional farmers use to guarantee success.
Instead of simply turning over the soil, the 4K Club members have prepared their planting beds using the double-digging method. This technique, which involves loosening the soil to a deeper level, improves drainage, encourages strong root development, and allows plants to access more nutrients. By mixing in organic compost and manure, the club is enriching the soil naturally, a key principle of environmentally-friendly farming that ensures the land remains fertile for years to come.
These methods are a practical application of the core principles of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which emphasizes hands-on skills and real-world problem-solving. The neat pathways and raised beds aren't just for looks; they prevent soil compaction and protect the delicate seedlings from damage, showing a sophisticated understanding of farm management.
The project's next phase saw the pupils carefully planting vegetable seedlings. With impressive attention to agronomic detail, they ensured proper spacing to give each plant the best chance to thrive, minimizing competition for sunlight and nutrients.
While some seedlings showed minor signs of transplant shock, a common challenge where plants wilt slightly after being moved, this became a valuable, real-time lesson for the students in plant care and resilience. This active participation demonstrates the teamwork, practical learning, and growing agricultural knowledge that the 4K Club model, revived nationally to foster a positive mindset towards agriculture, aims to instill.
With such a strong and strategic start, the Sun and Shield 4K Club is poised for an exceptional season. The precision and dedication shown in these early stages lay the foundation for a bountiful harvest.
"We are confident that these sound practices will lead to a successful harvest," stated Mr. Kavehaji in his report.
The club's ambition extends beyond the school gate. With their eyes set on not only defending their Nakuru County title but also on becoming the leading school-based agricultural club in Kenya, these young learners are proving that the future of agriculture is bright, innovative, and in very capable hands. Their journey is a powerful testament to the 4K Club motto: "Kuungana, Kufanya, Kusaidia Kenya" – Coming together, to act, to help Kenya.
