TAITA TAVETA, Kenya – Farmers in Taita Taveta are being encouraged to adopt organic banana farming to tap into the growing export market.
Speaking this week at a stakeholders’ forum at Sauti Organic Farm in Mata, County Executive Committee member in charge of Agriculture Katuu Mzenge said the county is promoting organic practices to ensure food safety and boost farmers’ income.
“We want to produce safe food for our people. That’s why we’re encouraging farmers to take up organic banana farming. It not only ensures food safety but also puts money in their pockets,” Mzenge said.
Taita Taveta is the first county in Kenya to sell certified organic bananas, with over 28,000 tonnes supplied to fruit processor Orana under a premium contract. Through the Danida Market Development Partnership (DMDP) and Micro-Enterprise Support Program (MESPT), over 50,000 seedlings have already been distributed, with a target of 126,000 to unlock the county’s full export potential.
Orana Director Niels Østerberg emphasised the need for higher-quality organic bananas, saying:
“We need more organic bananas. Our goal is to see Taita Taveta firmly positioned on the global export map,” Niels said.
Why organic banana farming is the new frontier in Taita Taveta County
MESPT’s Philemon Moseti stressed the importance of ongoing farmer training, while Orana’s project manager, Priscilla Nzalu, assured farmers of continued support and thanked the county government for upgrading access roads to organic banana farms.
Farmer Simon Mwachia of Kijan Farm expressed gratitude, saying organic farming has transformed their livelihoods:
“Apart from the good prices, Orana comes to the farms, scouts, and harvests themselves. This saves us costs and gives us peace of mind.”
Mata Ward MCA Isaac Matolo affirmed the county government’s commitment to improving infrastructure to support farm access.
In March 2025, the team met with area Governor Dr. Andrew Mwadime in a bid to expedite the transition of the banana value chain project in Taita Taveta County.
The discussions focused on fast-tracking the operationalisation of the banana factory, which has been stalled since 2019. ORANA, a partner identified by the Wakujaa Government, is set to collaborate with the county government to revive the project.
What makes Taita Taveta County among the leading banana producers
Once fully operational, the factory will process bananas into pulp, chips, crisps, and other value-added products, creating employment opportunities and providing a stable market for local farmers.
With MESPT’s program set to conclude on December 31, 2025, ORANA is poised to take over and lead the county’s banana value chain by providing a market for both fresh and processed bananas. This transition is expected to boost production and stimulate economic growth.
Taita Taveta County is a significant banana producer in Kenya, being the second-largest. Thousands of farmers are involved in commercial banana farming, particularly in Taveta.
There’s an emphasis on large-scale banana production to supply factories, indicating a focus on economic growth through agriculture in the region.
Tissue culture bananas are also produced there. This suggests a thriving agricultural sector with potential for further development and economic impact.
Against this background, Governor Mwadime reaffirmed the county’s commitment to supporting this transition, emphasising that improved market access and value addition are crucial for the success of the banana sector.
Why the ORANA factory will be a game changer in Taita Taveta County
In addition to bananas, the governor highlighted the need to establish processing facilities for other crops in efforts aimed at expanding agricultural value addition in the county.
Christine Saru Kilalo, Deputy Governor of Taita Taveta County, stressed the urgency of streamlining the banana value chain to maximize benefits for farmers.
“We will ensure that all gaps in the implementation of this project are addressed promptly to avoid delays in the future,” she stated.
MESPT CEO Rebecca Amukhoye highlighted the achievements made under MESPT’s program and stressed the importance of a seamless transition and especially the county taking over some of the functions undertaken by MESPT.
“The fresh banana market is not always reliable, which is why we need the ORANA factory operational. Taveta has great potential to become Kenya’s first major organic banana exporter, and we must support this initiative,” she said.
She urged the county government to ensure ORANA can continue MESPT’s work, particularly in supporting over 2,000 farmers and extending training programs to more producers.
How the Taita Taveta County government is addressing ongoing challenges
CECM Mzenge addressed ongoing challenges in the project, noting that the title deed for the factory land has been secured.
“We are working with other departments to resolve water and road access issues,” he explained.
ORANA’s Project Coordinator, Priscilla Nzalu, expressed appreciation for the county’s efforts in improving infrastructure, including feeder roads, electricity, and water systems.
“We want the factory up and running immediately. We hope the county will support us in expediting this process,” she noted.
County Chief Officer for Agriculture, Stephen Mcharo, highlighted the progress of the banana tissue culture lab, a collaboration with Taita Taveta University.
He noted that seedlings have been successfully transferred to a greenhouse, ensuring farmers access to certified planting material. He also encouraged farmers in the other three sub-counties to take advantage of this opportunity by growing bananas.
