The Hands That Feed Us
Last month, our team traveled to Bungoma County in Western Kenya to visit the farming cooperatives that grow our finger millet. What we found was inspiring — dedicated farmers preserving traditional farming practices while embracing innovation.
Mary's Story
Mary Nekesa, 58, has been growing finger millet on her family's land for over 30 years. When many of her neighbors switched to maize monoculture, she kept her wimbi fields.
"People laughed at me," she says. "They said wimbi was old-fashioned. But I knew it was special. My children grew up strong because of this grain."
Today, Mary supplies finger millet to Ayola Foods and leads a women's cooperative of 45 farmers. Her income has grown significantly since partnering with us.
Why Direct Sourcing Matters
At Ayola Foods, we buy directly from farmer cooperatives at fair prices — typically 20-30% above market rate. This ensures:
- Farmers receive fair compensation for their work
- Traditional crops remain economically viable to grow
- Quality is maintained from seed to shelf
- Communities benefit directly from the value chain
Preserving Biodiversity
By creating market demand for indigenous grains, we're helping preserve crop biodiversity. Kenya's agricultural future depends on maintaining a diverse range of crops — especially climate-resilient ones like finger millet and sorghum.
Our Commitment
Every bag of Ayola porridge mix you buy directly supports Kenyan farming families. We're committed to expanding our farmer partnerships and ensuring that the people who grow our ingredients share in our success.
Want to learn more about our sourcing? Contact us at info@ayolafoods.co.ke