Coriander boom: How Yatta farmers are spicing up their livelihoods

From left Shadrack Kakemu, Rose Wambua and pioneer farmer Stephen Mbondo display coriander seeds in Yatta in Machakos. The crop is emerging as a lucrative alternative to traditional staples, supported by contract farming. [David Njaaga, Standard] Coriander farming is transforming livelihoods in Yatta, Machakos County, where contracts with processors provide steady markets and higher returns compared to traditional crops. Stephen Mbondo, among the first to experiment with coriander in 2019, shifted from chickpeas after noticing rising demand. Today, he cultivates 50 acres and harvests nearly 300 bags each season. "Most of what we do now, we've taught ourselves," he says. The turning point came when Mbondo mobilised fellow farmers and approached Njoro Canning Factory in Nakuru County, which processes coriander for Unilever's Royco brand, blending it with other herbs and spices. "The management told us, 'The market is there, bring your produce,'" he recalls. That bold move connected Yatta farmers to one of East Africa's strongest spice value chains. Coriander has proven more rewarding than cereals and legumes traditionally grown in the semi-arid region. One acre yields at least 280 kilograms, fetching between Sh100 and Sh200 per kilo. Agronomists note that with optimal practices, yields can rise to 1,500 kilograms. The crop matures in 60-75 days, with two planting seasons a year, making it well-suited to Yatta's black cotton soils. The spice is also creating jobs. Harvesters earn about Sh300 daily for picking 20 kilograms. "We've created a lot of employment in our area," Mbondo says. Its high returns are drawing professionals back to farming. Nairobi-based university lecturer Rose Wambua turned to coriander after weighing her options between maize, beans, and chickpeas. "The math made sense," she says. Guided by Mbondo, she planted three acres and has since integrated into the supply chain. Shadrack Kakemu, a trained civil engineer, shifted from green grams after visiting Mbondo's farm. "I began with one and a half acres, saw the results immediately, and never looked back," he notes. He now farms coriander full-time. For years, farmers sold to brokers at throwaway prices. That changed with the 24-year partnership between Unilever and Njoro Canning, which now sources from about 2,000 smallholder and 30 large-scale farmers. "Contract farming offers an assured market and fixed prices throughout the contract period," says Evanson Njoroge, Chief Operating Officer of Njoro Canning. Unilever frames coriander, used in Royco spices and cubes, within its broader sustainability drive. Luck Ochieng, CEO of Unilever Kenya, notes: "Localisation is translating Kenya's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development within the local context. By sourcing from local farmers, we create jobs, empower communities, and secure the raw materials we need. Our goal is to source 80 per cent of our inputs locally by 2026." With strong demand, fast growth cycles, and structured markets, coriander is emerging as a reliable cash crop in Kenya's semi-arid belt. For farmers like Mbondo, it has also become a lesson in patience: "Those who take the time to learn will find coriander worth it."

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Coriander boom: How Yatta farmers are spicing up their livelihoods

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