Value addition allows smallholder farmers to have an additional revenue stream

Based in Machakos County, Vert Ltd is a company that specializes in horticultural produce processing and export. Initially focusing on exporting fresh produce to the European market, the company later sought to diversify its product portfolio by going into value addition, especially for mangoes. The firm reaches out to farmers in almost all parts of the country. The mango season usually starts in the month of September, when mangoes are in season in Kilifi, followed by Lamu, Tana River, and Kitui counties in October. Makueni and Machakos counties are next, followed by Embu, Murang'a, and Meru. Started in 2000 as a family business co-founded with Ms Maina’s husband, in 2018 Vert completed building its current physical premises — a purpose-built factory to support the pulping business. Vert Ltd today employs 85 permanent staff members and some 250 to 300 casual labourers who are employed seasonally in the factory. On the supply base, the firm started off with less than 10 farmers, but today works with over 5,000 farmers.