Nut cracking: JKUAT researchers in bid to boost coconut value chains

Prof. (Eng) Bernard Ikua (in white shirt) assisting a member of Msambweni Coconut Producers to operate the dehusker as Dr Florence Kaibi (third from right) looks on.

The quest to upscale processing and production of quality coconut-based value added products by small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the Coastal region, has received a major boost from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) which has developed low cost gender-sensitive technologies.

The simple to operate technological innovations – the coconut dehusker, charcoal briquetting machine and a stirrer, were developed and fabricated by Manufacturing Research Chair’s Tooling and Machineries Stream to strengthen the Coconut value chains in Kenya.