In 2005, Peter Maundu embarked on the journey of tortoise rearing following multiple unsuccessful attempts at crop cultivation.
During an interview with KU TV, Maundu revealed that he began his venture with a total of 25 tortoises.
“The land is dry and there is no enough vegetation although I get food from my farm which borders a river,” he said.
By 2019, fourteen years after his initial endeavors, Maundu was managing a population of over 2,000 tortoises across his farms located in Kitui and Makueni Counties.
He cultivates three distinct species of tortoises: the hinge-back, pancake, and leopard varieties.
Maundu engages in the export of these tortoises to countries that consume reptiles, including the United States, China and Germany.
As an entrepreneur involved in international trade, he identified currency fluctuations as his primary obstacle.
Additionally, he expressed concerns regarding unreliable clients, particularly those who postpone their payments.
“Some times the market is also a challenge because I don’t deal with direct clients, I have to go through agents,” he said.
Daniel Mwiti: Meet Meru Farmer Rearing, Selling Red Earthworms for Up To Ksh 2,500 Per KG
Tortoise farming
This unique form of agriculture plays a significant role in both the preservation of species and the management of tortoise populations.
Tortoises inhabit a variety of environments, ranging from arid deserts to lush tropical forests, and are found on every major landmass except Australia and Antarctica.
They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruits.
In some damp forest regions, certain species may occasionally consume animal matter.
Understanding their natural habitat and dietary needs is crucial for successful farming.
Breeding tortoises involves a fascinating lifecycle.
Female tortoises typically lay small clutches of eggs, often numbering fewer than 20, which they bury in sandy or soft soil to incubate naturally.
The incubation period can last anywhere from 60 to 120 days before the hatchlings emerge.
Unfortunately, hatchlings face a low survival rate, with only 2-5% reaching adulthood in some species due to predation and environmental challenges.
The primary threats to tortoise populations include habitat loss driven by human activities such as urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation, as well as poaching for the pet trade.
Tortoise farms can play a critical role in conservation efforts by providing protected habitats for endangered species and reducing the pressure on wild populations.
By breeding tortoises in controlled environments, these farms contribute to the sustainability of species that are at risk of extinction.
