According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the country loses about 30 percent of its produce to post-harvest inefficiencies.
Similarly, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates post-harvest losses at 30 to 50 percent for fruits and vegetables in Kenya.
These losses are primarily due to inadequate storage systems, poor marketing infrastructure, and damage caused by heavy rains.
“By providing a reliable market and processing surplus produce into value-added products, we aim to mitigate these losses and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” Faith shared.
Born and raised in Nyamira, Faith witnessed firsthand how local farmers, including her parents, struggled with post-harvest losses.
“I really empathised with the farmers, especially my parents. Our agro-processing company’s goal is to reduce food waste and support communities through our products while offering versatile ingredients for both home cooks and food industry professionals,” she said.
The company processes fruits and vegetables by drying them, which extends shelf life and preserves nutritional value.
Dried vegetables include sukuma wiki (collard greens), spinach, and traditional African vegetables like managu, terere, kunde, and saga.
Fruits processed include pineapples, mangoes, and bananas, along with pumpkins. “The products are targeted at health-conscious consumers, both locally and internationally,” Faith noted.
Faith’s background is rooted in academics and professional experience.She holds a Master’s degree in Social Statistics from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Moi University.
Additionally, the 30-year-old entrepreneur is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Before venturing into agro-processing, she worked in various roles, including Research Assistant, Finance and Admin Officer, and Operations Manager.
“These positions not only honed my skills but also sparked my passion for the agricultural sector, ultimately leading me to venture into agro-processing,” she explained.
Desiccated Sweetness officially commenced operations in 2022, having been founded in September 2021.
Faith and her co-founder, Lucy Amecha, identified several critical gaps in the agricultural value chain, including significant post-harvest losses, a lack of affordable nutritious value-added products, and limited market access for farmers.
“We chose to process fruits and vegetables to reduce food waste and offer farmers better income opportunities through reliable market linkages,” Lucy stated.
Their approach also addressed the growing demand for healthy, shelf-stable products.
Financing
In its early stages, Faith and Lucy financed the company through personal savings and support from family and friends, totaling about Sh500,000.
Their efforts were further supported by the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) Agribiz programme, where they received a Proof of Concept grant.
Pumpkins drying in one of Faith Kwamboka’s solar dryers.
Photo credit: Sammy Waweru | Nation Media Group
They later secured additional funding from the United States African Development Foundation (USADF), enabling them to purchase machinery and scale operations.
“We also received support from the Jamii Femmes initiative by the Coca-Cola Foundation, which significantly increased our capacity to grow,” Faith shared.
Growth
Desiccated Sweetness has experienced rapid growth.
Last year, it won the AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya grand prize, a Heifer International-funded initiative recognising agri-tech startups offering innovative solutions in agriculture.
The company won first place in the product development category, earning a cash prize of $15,000 (Sh1.9 million), which Faith revealed would be used to expand the venture.
Organisation structure
What started with just four employees has grown into a team of 20, including roles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Business Development Lead, Production Supervisor, Food Technologist, and Field Agents who ensure smooth operations.
Faith serves as the CEO, while Lucy is the COO. Initially operating out of a small rented space, the company now runs a modern facility in Ekerenyo town, Nyamira, meeting higher production demands and serving a growing market.
Scaling the business to profitability and sustainability was not without challenges. Faith and her team focused on operational efficiency, formed partnerships with like-minded organisations, and conducted market research to understand customer needs better.
Diversifying their product offerings has helped them expand their market reach and ensure environmental sustainability.
“Through continuous innovation and strategic planning, Desiccated Sweetness has managed to grow steadily,” Faith emphasised.
The decision to invest in agro-processing stemmed from Faith’s belief in agriculture’s potential to transform communities. Despite the sector’s risks, she recognised opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth.
She believes value addition in agriculture can reduce food waste while improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Desiccated Sweetness products
The company’s products include dried fruit flakes, vegetable powders, flours, dried vegetables, and crisps.
Their primary market comprises urban consumers, health-conscious individuals, retailers, and food processors. They also supply products to bakeries, hotels, and sweet manufacturers in bulk.
While most sales are within Kenya, a portion of their dried vegetables reaches individual customers in the United States (US).
The value addition process involves several steps, starting with sourcing produce directly from over 1,000 smallholder farmers in Nyamira, Kisii, and neighbouring counties.
Freshness, maturity, and quality are critical criteria during procurement. Fruits like mangoes, bananas, and pineapples are peeled, sliced, or chopped into uniform pieces, while vegetables like kale and spinach are briefly blanched to preserve nutrients.
For pumpkins and sweet potatoes, the produce is peeled, sliced, and milled into fine flour for baking and other nutritious meals.
A solar dryer owned by Faith Kwamboka, co-founder of Desiccated Sweetness, a vegetable and fruit processing company based in Nyamira.
Photo credit: Sammy Waweru | Nation Media Group
The company uses solar drying technology, which dehydrates fruits and vegetables, retains nutrients, and extends shelf life.
“Our final products are packed in eco-friendly, airtight packaging to ensure freshness for market distribution,” Lucy explained.
Capacity
Currently, the company processes up to 15 tonnes of produce per month, with a dryer capacity of one tonne per cycle.
Expanding to global markets remains a priority, and they are actively working to scale production and marketing efforts to meet demand.
Starting and growing the company presented challenges, including limited initial capital, unpredictable weather, and building trust with farmers.
Extended rainy seasons often disrupted solar drying, affecting production timelines.
Faith and her team diversified sourcing, adjusted production strategies, and leveraged grants to train farmers, creating a more resilient supply chain.
Lessons
The partnership has been pivotal to their success, according to the duo, allowing them to share responsibilities, bring diverse perspectives, and offer mutual support, accelerating growth and effectively overcoming challenges.
Through her entrepreneurial journey, Faith has learned valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning.
She emphasises the importance of building strong partnerships, focusing on customer needs, and viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
This mindset has been crucial in overcoming setbacks and achieving success.
