How startup Delish & Nutri is catalyzing change through High-Iron Beans in Kenya, Africa

Background and Challenge:

Kenya faces a dual challenge: iron deficiency remains a significant public health concern, with anaemia affecting approximately 43% of children under the age of five and 40% of pregnant women. Simultaneously, rural farmers, especially women and youth, grapple with income instability, limited access to high-value crops, and insufficient agribusiness training. Institutional buyers, such as schools and supermarkets, often overlook locally grown nutritious options, and job opportunities in rural areas are scarce. Additionally, the potential within cooperatives and irrigation schemes remains largely untapped.

Solution:

Delish & Nutri Ltd, under the Good Food Innovation Fund (GFIF) initiative, implemented a comprehensive, nutrition-sensitive HIB program addressing multiple barriers across the value chain through:

• Farmer Engagement: Delish & Nutri has contracted 2,069 farmers, providing training in Good Agronomic Practices (GAP), Aflasafe application, post-harvest handling, and financial literacy.
• Youth Inclusion: Engaged youth in agribusiness roles and processing facility operations, fostering employment and skill development.
• Strategic Partnerships:
  • Murda Cooperative (Baringo County): Collaborated with 500 farmers in the Pekera Irrigation Scheme, leveraging reliable irrigation to diversify away from traditional crops.
  • Siongiloi Dairy Cooperative (Bomet County): Worked with 600 members to utilize their milk distribution network for introducing HIB seeds to households.

Outcomes and Impact:

• Enhanced Nutrition: Promotion of HIB varieties like Nyota, Faida, and Angaza, which are high-yielding, drought-tolerant, and rich in iron and zinc, contributing to improved dietary intake.
• Economic Empowerment: Farmers reported increased incomes due to higher yields and access to structured markets. For instance, members of the Abossi Top Hill Cooperative in Bomet County transformed its iron bean production into a profitable enterprise, improving both livelihoods and nutrition.
• Market Development: Established reliable demand channels through partnerships with schools and supermarkets, ensuring consistent supply and stable pricing for farmers.
• Youth Employment: Created over 975 employment opportunities for youth in farming, production, marketing, and logistics, providing access to formal employment and career growth pathways.
• Institutional Strengthening: Partnerships with cooperatives like Murda and Siongiloi catalyzed broader cooperative transformation, encouraging members to view farming as a viable enterprise.

Conclusion:

The Delish & Nutri model demonstrates that integrating nutrition-sensitive agriculture with strategic partnerships and inclusive training can address public health challenges, empower rural communities, and stimulate economic growth. By focusing on high-iron beans, the initiative not only combats iron deficiency but also creates sustainable livelihoods, particularly for women and youth in Kenya’s rural areas.

Call to Action:

If you are a startup in the Good Food and Nutrition space in Africa and would like to know more, please write to us at marketing@intellecap.net