Kenyan farmers have a new way to make money thanks to Wambugu Apples. The company started making freeze-dried fruit products that last much longer than fresh ones. Fresh fruits spoil in less than ten days, but these new products stay good for almost a year.
Mathew Njenga runs Wambugu Apples and wants to help farmers earn more money. The company works with apples, mangoes, bananas, strawberries, and dragon fruit. Christine Chesaro from the Agriculture and Food Authority says this helps solve a big problem because up to 40 percent of fruits rot before they can be sold.
Kenya exports mostly flowers, with some fruits and vegetables. Last year, the country sold fruits worth Sh32 billion to other countries. Avocados brought in Sh23 billion, and mangoes earned Sh9 billion. Chesaro thinks dried fruits could open new markets and become healthy snacks for schoolchildren.
Wambugu Apples spent about Sh200 million on special equipment that freezes fruit and removes water without harming its taste or nutrients. The process takes about 12 hours. Njenga says his company plans to work directly with farmers who grow fruits just for processing.
He wants the government to support these new ideas with money and special programs. His main goals are feeding Kenyans first, helping farmers earn a steady income, and creating businesses around fruit production. Many people see this as a breakthrough for Kenya's farming industry.
Mathew Njenga runs Wambugu Apples and wants to help farmers earn more money. The company works with apples, mangoes, bananas, strawberries, and dragon fruit. Christine Chesaro from the Agriculture and Food Authority says this helps solve a big problem because up to 40 percent of fruits rot before they can be sold.
Kenya exports mostly flowers, with some fruits and vegetables. Last year, the country sold fruits worth Sh32 billion to other countries. Avocados brought in Sh23 billion, and mangoes earned Sh9 billion. Chesaro thinks dried fruits could open new markets and become healthy snacks for schoolchildren.
Wambugu Apples spent about Sh200 million on special equipment that freezes fruit and removes water without harming its taste or nutrients. The process takes about 12 hours. Njenga says his company plans to work directly with farmers who grow fruits just for processing.
He wants the government to support these new ideas with money and special programs. His main goals are feeding Kenyans first, helping farmers earn a steady income, and creating businesses around fruit production. Many people see this as a breakthrough for Kenya's farming industry.
