During a recent beneficiary visit to Taita Taveta County, we met Ms Agatha Mwatere, a 68 year old proud member of the Kururu Moringa Processors Group. Her story shows how inclusive value chains and sustainable agriculture can uplift not only individuals but entire communities.
Ms Agatha began Moringa oleifera Farming in 2012, when her group for 36 female members partnered with Botanic Treasures Limited, a KCV portfolio investee. Kururu Moringa Processors Group gave Botanic Treasures its first batch of moringa seeds to plant, laying the foundation for a lasting partnership. Today, Agatha continues to supply 960 kilograms of moringa leaf powder annually to Botanic Treasures at KES 300 per kilogram, generating KES 288,000 processed using the group’s communal dryer and grinding mill.
For Ms. Agatha, Moringa oleifera farming became a turning point after her husband lost his job. Through the steady income from moringa and access to affordable, flexible loans, she has been able to pay school fees, provide scholastic materials and pocket money for her children, supported her last-born child through to college graduation, and comfortably service her loans. The proceeds have also enabled her to construct a permanent home for her family, ensuring security and dignity.
Reflecting on her journey, Ms Agatha shared: “Moringa oleifera has changed my life. It gave me a way to educate my children, build a home, and stand on my own feet.”
Impact on Ms. Agatha extends beyond income. By incorporating moringa oleifera leaves into daily meals, Agatha has seen her family’s nutrition and immunity improve. As one of the pioneering women in Moringa oleifera Farming in her community, she has become a role model for other women farmers in her community including girls and teenage mothers. Her success story has inspired 7 young women to join the Kururu Moringa Processors Group, to adopt moringa farming, as an alternative source of income. Despite their basic eco-friendly leave dryer, the group has demonstrated how access to regular market can improve livelihoods.
Through Botanic Treasures’ inclusive sourcing model and KCV’s investment support, smallholder farmers like Ms Agatha have strengthened community resilience systems through climate resilience agribusiness.
Written by Ramji Krishna
