Women farmers show a passion for business

18 March 2013

Our Maendeleo Agricultural Enterprise Fund (MAEF) has begun to transform the fortunes of thousands of women farmers in Kwale County, Kenya.

The work has got off to a flying start by bringing 2,100 women farmers into the project. They will learn not only how to increase their production of good quality passion fruit but, just as importantly, how to earn a sustainable income from their crops through improved processing and marketing.

The women farmers have already received the seeds they need to substantially boost production of their passion fruit. A demonstration plot has been established and 8 kilos of quality passion fruit seedlings have been distributed among the farmers for planting over more than 200 acres.

Getting down to business

The women have got themselves organised and ready for business. They have formed marketing groups and have also built collection centres where farmers can bring their passion fruit for packaging and processing.

Sixty farmers have now received full training on how to process their fresh fruit into attractive products like fresh passion fruit juice, jam and pulp. And a similar number have learned how to package their products attractively to increase their marketing and sales potential.

Trade Fair success

It’s obvious that all the hard work the women are putting into their passion fruit business is paying off. Their products have already caught the attention of the market and they were recently thrilled to be invited to show their products at a high-profile international trade fair in Mombasa.

They’ve also recently showcased their passion fruit products at a Kenyan national farming conference in Nairobi.

Find out more about our passion fruit project.

Find out more about how MAEF is funding other women farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to grow more food and develop collective businesses.

If you would like to support this project and our other work, please make a donation.