Biz Lounge: How Nakuru youth cashed in on crop spraying

What began as a field observation by a group of agronomists has grown into a thriving agricultural service company making waves in the crop protection landscape.

Peter Kamau, a trained agronomist and co-founder of G9 Exterminators, recounts the moment that sparked the company’s creation. 

“Over the past three years, we have trained farmers on pesticide use and agronomy practices. But one day in the field, we saw about 70 percent of smallholder farmers were losing their crops—simply due to lack of knowledge,” he says.

This realization pushed Kamau and eight colleagues—five agronomists and four field workers—to establish G9 Exterminators. 

The company provides professional spraying services and agronomic guidance to smallholder farmers, focusing on best practices for pesticide use and crop management. 

Initially, they worked with basic manual sprayers but soon reinvested their earnings into motorized sprayers, each costing around Sh 17,000.

“We started with just two sprayers but quickly partnered with other companies to secure three more. Others supported us with manual equipment and even helped us bring more young people on board,” Kamau explains.

Today, G9 Exterminators works with clusters of 20 to 100 farmers, helping them develop crop timelines and coordinated spray programs. 

Their efforts have not only improved productivity but also reduced pesticide misuse and waste.

The company’s growth has also had a deeply personal impact. “This isn’t just a service job—it’s a lifestyle. I used to walk, but now I drive. I used to rent, now I’m building. I’ve grown, and so have the people around me,” says Kamau. “Seeing people mishandle chemicals motivated me to step up for their health and safety.”

While the business began in Kuresoi, it has since expanded to the Mau region and Nyandarua, a major potato-growing region. 

Kamau says the ultimate goal is to operate nationwide. Their presence at International Potato Day this year was a strategic move to attract partners and scale logistics.

“We're actively looking for partners and grants to invest in a boom sprayer that can be tractor-mounted,” Kamau adds. “This would allow us to lease equipment and serve more farmers efficiently.”

In addition to helping farmers, G9 Exterminators is making a strong impact on youth employment. More than 50 young people have benefited from training and capacity-building programs, with 20 currently engaged under the G9 banner.

Daniel Mugo, a spray service provider who began in 2023, is one such success story. “I started charging Sh 50 per 20-liter pump. Now I charge Sh 100. I earn not less than KSh 15,000 per month, and I’ve mentored five others. I also advertise my services and get regular work, especially from horticultural farmers,” he says.

Mugo’s vision for the future includes forming a youth-led brand or cooperative that can empower others just as he was mentored. 

“There are jobs out there- youth just need guidance and opportunity,” he states 

Despite the success, challenges persist. Both Kamau and Mugo cited a lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a recurring issue, though efforts are being made to address this.

Looking ahead, G9 Exterminators aims to acquire more motorized sprayers, a mixing tank, and the much-anticipated boom sprayer to meet increasing demand.

As Kamau puts it, “It’s been a journey of growth—personally, professionally, and for the communities we serve. We’re just getting started.”