Value Addition

Vihiga farmer group increase earnings by adding value to bananas

A group of farmers in Vihiga county are adding value to their bananas, giving their produce longer shelf life, earning more than triple from the venture and creating an entreprise that has economically empowered over 50 farmers.

Hamisi Horticultural Development Group, consists of farmers who predominantly cultivated bananas in one area but who, upon harvesting, had to deal with the age old twin problem of market glut and poor market price.

But thorough consultation among themselves and with some buyers inspired the idea of coming together to form an outfit that would give meaning to their banana farming. They decided to venture into adding value to the banana by making products like cakes, doghnuts, chapatis and banana flour. Pooling together resources they purchased a machine that would help in drying bananas.....