New Market opens in EU for small-scale farmers

By Jackson  Okoth

Kenya: It is now possible for smallholder farmers in Kenya, who grow fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers, to find markets in Europe.

This has been made possible through the initiatives of SACOMA Fresh Fruits, Vegetables & Flowers Limited, a UK firm.

According to  Sacoma Director Perez Ochieng, the firm has created a major opportunity in importing and distributing fresh produce comprising fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers.

“We are also supporting small holder farmers and producers in Kenya, parts of East Africa and Africa to improve their farming methods, access markets and realise export potential as well as earn realistic incomes for their families.

Value chain

The firm creates business opportunities for rural communities beyond farming into other value chain activities such as input supplies, transport, processing, quality control, 

“We import produce from all over the world. However our plan is to eventually buy and import 100 per cent from Africa once we have developed the capacity of the small holder farmers to produce to specific quality and volumes,” said Ochieng.

Currently, Sacoma trades in about 120 tonnes of fresh produce per day and has a mission to encourage investments in agriculture as route to alleviate poverty and develop sustainable agri-business.

The firm’s activities is already generating a lot of interest, especially in its ability to support agri-based small enterprises in Africa.