Dutch entrepreneurs are investing in organic farming in Kenya

Mr. Bert-Jan Ottens realized that real progress in optimizing the growth potential of organic agriculture in Kenya was still missing. He identified several challenges that local markets are facing, concerning safe and traceable food and decided to take action. From the moment Green Rhino was established many stakeholders expressed a serious interest to join him in his effort to professionalize organic agriculture in Kenya. Green Rhino is expanding its impact by collaborating with SNV on tomatoes, mango and leafy vegetables. They also signed a Letter of Intent with Kirinyaga County, which wants to develop a blueprint for becoming an organic county. Moreover, sourcing managers of supermarkets and restaurant chains are increasingly requesting Green Rhino to help them with the development of compliance trajectories.

Mr. Bert-Jan Ottens emphasizes the interest by customers in Kenya in organic food: “Besides surveys at produce and retail level, our consumer survey clearly shows that consumers are willing to pay higher prices if they can be sure that the food is safe and the higher price will benefit the farmers. There is a for instance particular interest in Kenyan leafy vegetables.”

Mrs. Els Breet of Mlango Farm notices that individual consumers in Kenya have a stronger desire to know where their food comes from. One way of achieving this is by increasing traceability of produce.   At Mlango farm they invite people to come to the farm. “This allows consumers to see the products in the fields of our farm. Next to that we also see a growing trend for groups to come here as an outing and experience farm live.”

Mrs. Talitha Hogebrug, one of the owners of Live Love Well, sees an increasing global demand for superfoods, such as Moringa and Baobab products. Moringa, a natural source of nutrition, grows very well in Kenya.  Live Love Well grows its Moringa on the ‘Green Moringa Gold Coast’, which offers optimum growth conditions on coconut and macadamia farms. Besides building a profitable businesses through efficient supply chains the company also wanted to produce with a positive impact on the environment and increases employment in areas where currently little production is happening.

Opportunities for organic farming in Kenya

Companies entering the Kenyan market need to be willing to invest a lot of time and energy. Especially Dutch entrepreneurs need to be aware that a very straight to the point approach does not always work in Kenya.  Just sending an email or a phone call will usually not lead to any results. Networking by visits and meetings and then coming to an agreement, is the advice of all three companies. Green Rhino sees opportunities for companies to work together in public-private partnerships in various counties in Kenya. Currently they are working together with several partners, including knowledge institutes in the Netherlands and agricultural training centres on county level, on a concept of ‘Living Labs’ which will act as Incubation Hubs for youth and women.  

Despite the fact that there is a global demand for superfoods, there are not sufficient organic farmers in Kenya. For Live, Love, Well this is one of the main challenges, how to find organically certified out-growers in Kenya who can meet the demands from their clients. At this moment, the demand is significantly higher than the supply.  Training organic farmers is therefore an interesting investment while creating deeper impact. Finally, the growing awareness in Kenya for healthy and safe food may even generate opportunities in other agricultural subsectors.  

Making Impact

Superfoods such as Moringa can offer a sustainable solution for millions of farmers. Planting superfoods in rural areas can improve soil fertility and reverse deforestation. Besides Moringa, Live Love Well also creates products from Baobab fruits. Baobab is a wild grown fruit and collected by women and youth groups. Collecting Baobab therefore creates an income opportunity for people without land or other sources of income.

At Mlango farm awareness is raised about the common responsibility to take care of our planet. The planet we all share and which is the home for our future generations. From a farmers perspective that means: “Eating locally grown products, means working together on a sustainable future”.