Local Family Finds Success In Herb Export Through Mechanisation

Nestled in a leafy residential area in Delview Thika, Jungle Harvest Limited thrives as a prosperous enterprise focused on cultivating and exporting herbs, managed by the husband-and-wife team of Kamau and Jane Mbarire, with the farm benefiting largely from Jane’s hands-on approach to its day-to-day functions.

The Mbarires have experimented with a variety of ventures on their two-acre farm, including dairy, pig, and poultry farming, as well as growing bananas, hass avocados, vegetables, and strawberries on the side.

Of the initial pursuits, strawberries were the most successful. However, Jane’s strawberry harvest was short-lived due to wild monkeys in the area stealing the ripe berries before she could collect them for sale. Undeterred, she decided to build a greenhouse to protect her strawberries from the mischievous thieves.

‘Unfortunately, the solution of growing strawberries in a greenhouse did not work out as expected. The strawberries did not thrive in the shaded environment, and the quality of the f
ruit was not as good as previous harvests. As a result, we decided to explore herb growing in 2018. The new venture has been successful as herbs are less susceptible to interference from monkeys,’ she explained.

The family now grows a variety of herbs, such as basil, coriander, dill, mint, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme.

After deciding on their main cash crop, the family turned their attention to maximising their farm’s income potential, and at the suggestion of their son Francis, who holds a degree in Agro- Ecosystems and Environment Management, they decided to invest in an on-site cold storage facility in late 2021, which led them to secure financing for a cold room from Solar Cooling Engineering brand, with a loan that they are currently repaying.

‘Before purchasing the cold room, we had to hire refrigerated trucks to keep our produce fresh for transport, which was not sustainable for us. It was expensive and time-consuming, with daily truck hires costing around USD 60-77 (Ksh 7800-10,000) which du
g into our profit margins. Now, with the cold room, we can store over 1000 kilograms of herbs for up to a week, giving us more time to sort and pack the product for transport to the airport,’ said Jane.

She further noted that they had been utilising the system consistently, which had proven to be extremely beneficial for their herb cultivation, particularly due to the sensitivity of the plants to high temperatures. In turn, this had allowed them to harvest the herbs multiple days in a row while equally maintaining their freshness.

The duo has seen a significant increase in their herb production since they installed the cold room, with their capacity growing from 50-80 Kgs to over 300 Kgs that has resulted in the doubling of their income. They now supply larger orders to high-value export clients, rather than small orders to local clients. The precise temperature control of the cold room ensures that their herbs are preserved in optimal conditions, meeting the high export quality standards.

In addition to i
ncreased profits for the farm, the cold room has also allowed them to make a positive impact on their community. Jane has made a conscious effort to hire young single mothers on the farm, providing them with a source of income to support themselves and their families. Furthermore, Jane uses the cold room to store and distribute fresh vegetables to nearby households, creating additional income for the farm and ensuring that the local community has access to nutritious produce.

The Mbarire’s have seen great success with their investment in the cold room, leading to increased income and opportunities for expansion. They are currently building a larger herb propagation shed and have plans to lease additional land from their neighbours, effectively growing their farm by approximately an acre. With these developments, they aim to produce more herbs, fulfill larger orders, and continue to grow and expand their business.

Source: Kenya News Agency