Vet finds purpose in mango exports

Anthony Mutembei, a vet who exports mangoes to UAE. He also keeps livestock.

After completing his studies in veterinary medicine at Egerton University, Anthony Mutembei was lucky to get a job in an NGO. He worked for two years as a field officer, then he quit. 

“Though it came with the money and status, I felt something was missing. I grew up in a farming family and my life revolved around tilling the land and tending to crops. I felt more fulfilled on the farm,” he says.

Mutembei, was born and bred in Tharaka Nithi and grew up in a farming set up in the village. Tharaka Nithi County has two main ecological zones - the Highlands (upper zone), which receive adequate rainfall for agriculture.

The other is semi-arid zone (lower zone) that receives less rainfall, making it largely suitable for livestock rather than crop production. That is the area he came from.

Mutembei’s family was farming maize and green grams for subsistence.

Knowing full well the economic prospects of crops farming, Mutembei, 27, did not want to farm the traditional crops his parents grew. He did his research and settled on a more profitable enterprise- mangoes for export.

Luckily for him, land was not an issue, as the family farm had been placed under his charge following his father’s death. Land ownership is a bottleneck that many young people who want to practice farming face because it is expensive. Leased land also has its own share of limitations.

With those challenges out of his way, it was time to get his hands dirty.

“I chose mango farming because the climatic conditions here favour it and there is an opportunity for export,” he says.

Suitable climatic conditions

Though the area is dry, the few times it rains the soil retains moisture for longer. And the fruits produced in hot areas are also exceptionally sweet as they enjoy full sun.

To start off, Mutembei bought 50 mango seedlings which grew without a challenge.

Within three years, he started reaping the fruits.

“My trees did pretty well because they had proper conditions – full sun and I kept diseases at bay with the right agronomical practices. To keep the soils moist, I used to mulch a lot.”

He kept increasing to the numbers to the current 600 trees. Now he also contracts from farmers to meet the orders.

Through his networks and referrals, he landed a market in United Arab Emirates. To understand the dynamics of export market, he made Google his friend. 

Getting the certificate

To access the export market, one must meet stringent conditions, he says.

First, one requires a wide range of certifications from the different bodies whose mandate is to ascertain quality standards for all products being exported.

Mutembei explains that Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) paid a visit to his farm for assessment and when they were satisfied he had met all conditions; he was given the green light.

Global Gap Certificate was the other requirement that he needed. This is an internationally recognised set of farm practices dedicated to good agricultural practices. Mutembei says the process of acquiring this approval cost him Sh200,000.

Once he met all conditions, he went into the business full throttle.

At the start, he got one client from UAE who gave him an order of 500 cartons per week at a price of Sh300 per carton. Gradually, he got more clients from referrals. He now sells a consignment of 4,000 cartons per week.

Comparing the local and export market, he says the profits margins are wide, as the local market buys at Sh10 to Sh15 farm gate price per piece. Locally, he supplies the fruits to markets in Isiolo and Embu.

About mango production

Mango trees grow well and produce best in hot temperatures. They also do well in a wide range of soils, which are well drained, aerated and rich in organic matter. Mutembei grows kent and the apple mango variety, which are are on demand in the middle east and Europe. The Apple mangoes are grafted with the indigenous Ngoe variety.

After planting the seeds, the shoots are grafted at six months and will start bearing fruits at two years from planting. 

The trees are planted in 2 by 2 holes, watered and nurtured with organic matters for nutrients. Mutembei has a mother stock tree where he gets the rootstock.

No chemicals used

Because mango is a season fruit, when they are off season, he also grows pixie oranges and Hass avocado. These fruits target the local market.

To grow natural products, Mutembei practices conservation agriculture.

The focus on zero tilling in an effort to conserve moisture content. Weeds are also controlled through spraying to reduce infestation of pests.

“As an exporter, I have to be very keen on pesticide residue. Excessive use of herbicides and pesticides can lead to termination of a whole consignment leading to great losses.”

For water conservation in soils, he is keen on mulching on the trees.

Future is bright

The biggest challenge he faces is the high cost of farm inputs costs.

His production cost has increased to Sh12,000 per month since the cost of farm inputs hit the roof.

The cost of organic pesticides and herbicides has also risen. The cost of one fruit fly trap has increased from Sh100 to Sh280. Since fruit flies are the major pest that target mangoes, he is concerned that this increment will negatively impact his business.

Another challenge is reduced cargo flights to Dubai. The flight cost per carton of flowers is six dollars which is two dollars more than cost per carton for other products. He has also run into losses from cancellation of orders. He is appealing to those in charge to look into cargo flights.

Despite the hurdles, the impressive bit is that Mutembei has employed seven permanent young people that tend to the farm and occasionally brings on board six casuals during fruits picking period.

He is also the founder of New Gro Initiative which has registered 400 farmers. He offers on farm training on essentials crop management practices and buys fruits from them to meet the huge volumes for export. 

For a business that started in 2015 he is certain that the future is bright.