African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) commercialisation, a Vision 2030 flagship project, has been launched at Eldoret National Polytechnic.

Uasin Gishu CECM for Agriculture Sam Kotut said the project will empower farmers and enhance nutrition, agribusiness opportunities and biodiversity conservation.

Kotut said the project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the national government, the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and the Natural Products Industry (NPI) initiative for Kenya, aims to transform African indigenous vegetables from modest subsistence crops into scientifically guided commercial ventures.

Most of the indigenous vegetables targeted thrive in western Kenya counties of Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Siaya, Busia and Trans Nzoia. The project will commercialise, lisutsa, miroo (mitoo), likhuvi (kunde), murere, likalava, nderema, tsisaka (tsisaaga), livokoi (livogoi) and sarati, among others.

Besides healthy living, Kotut said, the idea is to expand the income streams of households, in addition to cultural conservation.

Further, he said, the project will to elevate the vegetables – already acknowledge for their nutritional value – into a profitable enterprise that drives food security, boosts farmer income and contributes to Kenya’s Vision 2030 Agenda.

“Our focus is on transforming traditional vegetables into profitable agribusiness ventures for our farmers and youth,” he said.

For over three decades, the National Museums of Kenya has been busy studying these green gems, proving that “AIVs are not just your average leafy companions, they are rich in unique micronutrients and health promoting properties”.

Building on this scientific foundation, NPI has taken the bold step of commercialising AIVs by training producers along the value chain and supplying certified seed varieties across 27 counties.

The project will also train county extension officers as trainers of trainers (ToTs) on modern agro-economic practices, covering large-scale production, proper harvesting, handling, packaging and even value addition and processing of AIVs.

Farmers eager to be part of this exciting green revolution are encouraged to contact their respective Ward Agricultural Officers for registration and training schedules.

Others present were County Chief Officer Eng. Abraham Kiptalam and Director of Agriculture Mr. Reuben Seroney.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Jevvah Kiplimo