Victoria Mumo is a small-scale farmer from Kithimani village, Yatta sub-county, Machakos county, who has learned how to increase the value of her farm produce in order to generate more money.
She enhances the worth of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, lemon grass, hibiscus, guard and mito (slenderleaf) seeds.
Mumo claims that by adding value to sweet potatoes, she is able to sell even when the produce is scarce in the market and the prices are higher.
She can also reach more customers with her orange-fleshed sweet potato flour.
Mumo is a member of the Machakos Organic Farmers Cooperative Society and does organic farming on her two-acre property.
She claims to have been a farmer for many years, but she was not getting a good return on her investment and was unable to break even.
According to the farmer, the training and support she received from the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) helped her to earn a good living and opened up new doors and opportunities.
In an interview, Mumo explained the process of making the flour which includes ensuring that the seeds are of good quality and clean before planting for food safety.
“The crop is ready for harvest after three months. I then sort the sweet potatoes and weigh. They are then cleaned for two to three times as hygiene is key in this process
“After that they are cut and washed again with warm water. The material is then dried for one to two days depending on the sunshine, after that it is blended into flour,” she said.
The flour can be used to make porridge, chapati or ugali but only when mixed with maize or wheat flour.
“For better results for your preferred choice of dish, take one tablespoon of the sweet potato flour against one cup of either maize or wheat flour,” she says.
Mumo sells her produce locally and at 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.
Mumo also creates lemon grass powder, which she suggests for use in tea. Lemon grass is priced at Ksh 350 for a 250g package, Ksh 700 for 500g and Ksh 1,400 for a kilo.
