Victoria Mumo is a small-scale farmer from Kithimani village in Yatta sub-county, Machakos county. She has found innovative ways to increase the value of her farm produce, which has significantly boosted her income.
Mumo enhances the value of her crops, including orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, lemon grass, hibiscus, guard, and mito (slenderleaf) seeds.
By adding value to her sweet potatoes, Mumo can sell them even during market scarcity when prices are higher. Her production of orange-fleshed sweet potato flour has also expanded her customer base.
As a member of the Machakos Organic Farmers Cooperative Society, Mumo practices organic farming on her two-acre property. Despite her extensive experience, she struggled to see a good return on her investment until she received training and support from the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN). This assistance has significantly improved her earnings and opened new opportunities.
In an interview, Mumo detailed her process for making sweet potato flour. She emphasizes the importance of using high-quality, clean seeds to ensure food safety. The crop is ready for harvest after three months, at which point she sorts, weighs, and thoroughly cleans the sweet potatoes.
“They are cut and washed again with warm water, then dried for one to two days depending on the sunshine. After drying, they are blended into flour,” Mumo explained. The flour is versatile, used in porridge, chapati, or ugali, but it needs to be mixed with maize or wheat flour for the best results. “For your preferred dish, use one tablespoon of sweet potato flour per cup of maize or wheat flour,” she advises.
Mumo markets her products locally and at various agricultural expos, exhibitions, and conferences. The orange-fleshed sweet potato flour is priced at Ksh 200 for a 250g package, Ksh 400 for a 500g packet, and Ksh 800 for a kilogram. Additionally, she produces lemon grass powder, ideal for tea, priced at Ksh 350 for a 250g package, Ksh 700 for 500g, and Ksh 1,400 for a kilogram.
