Visitors to the Makueni Agricultural Show 2026 were treated to an inspiring display of agricultural innovation as Iviani Farm Limited showcased its value-added fruit products—Dried Mango Crisps and Dried Pineapple Crisps. The products demonstrated how processing fresh fruits can increase farmers' incomes while reducing post-harvest losses.
Makueni County is one of Kenya's leading producers of mangoes, with thousands of farmers depending on the crop for their livelihoods. However, during the peak harvest season, farmers often face low prices due to oversupply, and many fruits go to waste. Iviani Farm is addressing this challenge by transforming fresh mangoes and pineapples into nutritious dried crisps with a longer shelf life.
The drying process preserves much of the fruits' natural sweetness, flavour and essential nutrients without the need for refrigeration. The crisps are convenient snacks for schools, offices, travellers and health-conscious consumers looking for natural alternatives to processed foods.
Beyond creating healthy snacks, value addition opens new market opportunities for farmers. Dried fruit products can be sold throughout the year, supplied to supermarkets, hotels and exported to international markets where demand for healthy fruit snacks continues to grow. This enables farmers and processors to earn higher returns compared to selling fresh fruits alone.
The exhibit also highlighted the importance of food processing in reducing food waste and strengthening food security. Every fruit processed into crisps represents income that would otherwise be lost through spoilage.
Iviani Farm's innovation reflects the growing shift towards agribusiness and agro-processing in Kenya. By converting locally grown mangoes and pineapples into premium dried crisps, the company is demonstrating that value addition is a powerful pathway to creating jobs, increasing farmers' earnings and building a more resilient agricultural economy in Makueni County.
