Denis Opudo
Selina Wamucii is popular in Kenya due to its initiative of sourcing platform for fresh produce from Kenyan small-scale farmers. The platform began its operations in 2015. The platform was found in partnership with John Oroko and Gaita Kariuki. The two had the passion for empowering small-scale farmers. The two co-founders were born and brought up in small-scale families. They grew up helping their parents with farming activities. This instilled in them farming skills.
Selina Wamucii Ltd buys and ranks produce from farmers. Therefore, it sells the produce to local and global vendors and distributors. USSD acts as the link between the farmers and Selina Wamucii. Normally, the farmer’s information is taken and entered into the company’s mapping system. The information includes location, type of produce, dates available and project volume during the growth period.
The company is currently working with more than 3,000 farmers in Kenya. The farmers’ productions are then sold to Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe.
The pioneers learned about challenges that hinder the growth of the small-scale farmers. Many small-scale farmers in Kenya are still leaving under poverty. Many cannot find the right ways to realize the exact worth of their activities. The two got up with the idea while still pursuing their studies. They developed a big passion for working with the small-scale farmers while in university. The project was run by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). SIFE is a popular enterprise club at the university. The two decided to join hands and started the Selina Wamucii.
The platform has helped to empower the small-scale farmers and put a smiling face on them. The small-scale farmers used to suffer at the hands of middlemen in the past. Their produce used not to source for the income that could sustain them. But now the farmers have a reason to work every time on their farms.
