The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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For years, banana farmers in Taveta struggled as their produce went to waste or was sold for next to nothing to exploitative brokers. Poor roads, unreliable water and electricity, and lack of quality seedlings pushed many into poverty, forcing some to abandon farming altogether.
But the story has taken a remarkable turn.
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Thanks to the Danida Market Development Partnership (DMDP) programme, led by the Micro-Enterprise Support Programme Trust (MESPT) with support from DANIDA, Orana A/S, and Wanda Agriculture Group, over 2,000 smallholder farmers in Taita Taveta have turned despair into prosperity — transforming the region into Kenya’s emerging banana hub.
Through partnerships with institutions such as JKUAT Enterprises and Maua Mazuri, farmers received more than 476,000 high-yield, disease-resistant tissue culture seedlings. They were also trained on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), boosting yields by 27% and slashing post-harvest losses by 85%.
The project introduced a credit-based seedling model, enabling farmers to repay after harvest, and supported the creation of Africa’s first certified organic banana cooperative. The cooperative now exports premium organic bananas under a long-term deal running until 2034.
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As incomes grew by over 60%, farmers invested in education, sustainable farming, and new businesses. Women and youth benefited most, taking nearly 75% of the 398 jobs created.
Beyond profits, the initiative advanced environmental sustainability by planting over 242,000 trees and promoting green innovations such as fibre extraction, composting, and eco-packaging — achieving full waste recycling.
Governor Andrew Mwadime hailed the transformation, saying agriculture has become a source of dignity and opportunity for Taveta’s youth.
What was once a story of waste and despair has become a model of resilience, innovation, and green growth — proving that with the right support, farmers can build a thriving, sustainable future.
