Local peanut processor to support over 2,000 groundnut farmers under deal with EU

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 6 – Over 2,000 smallholder groundnut farmers in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties stand to benefit from a project initiated by a Kenyan SME, Greenforest Foods and supported by the European Union and Slovak Aid through its AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund.

Greenforest Foods Ltd, a local SME and processor of Peanuts Snacks, Peanut Butter and honey, through a two -year program has recruited 1,500 smallholder farmers and intends to recruit 500 more famers in the first quarter of 2022 to grow groundnuts.

According to Athanas Matheka, the Director of the project and the CEO of Greenforest Foods Ltd, groundnuts have the potential of providing farmers in the two counties with considerably higher margins and profitable incomes.

He said the program will bridge the supply deficit faced by the company which imports all its peanuts from Malawi due to Kenya’s inability to produce.

“For a really long time, we have faced the challenge of getting quality groundnuts locally. With this project, we not only get to grow our business, but also get to increase income for local smallholder farmers,” Matheka explained.

At the farm level, Matheka said Greenforest Foods is providing extension services in collaboration with county governments of Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo to access to clean seeds and aflatoxin management at the farm level. This way, the value chain guarantees aflatoxin-free produce which is nutritious and safe for consumers.

Matheka expressed the firm’s commitment to off take the produce at pre-agreed prices, which is a vote of confidence on the farmers’ part.

“The project is focused on minimize and possibly eliminate the use of chemicals and pesticides which are harmful and costly to the farmers,” he said.

“We encourage farmers to use easily available natural manure, which together with improved seeds and good crop husbandry will ensure high yields with minimal impact on the environment,” Matheka said.

Available data indicates that most groundnut farmers in the country face several challenges which put them off from farming the crop.

These challenges include lack of knowledge on climate-smart agricultural practices, lack of market access and proper agronomy information, as well as limited access to quality seeds and extension services.

“Practically all groundnuts produced in Kenya are grown by smallholder farmers who face multiple challenges that include increased climate vulnerability, limited access to quality seeds and other inputs, lack of knowhow of climate-smart and good agricultural practices, and a lack of market access and information,” notes the fund.