Mazao Talks Podcast

Today we discuss how technology can help the world overcome the big food waste problem and create better food sustainability for all. We talk with Winnie Yegon who talks about how she pivoted from a career in art to one in agriculture working in food systems. She offers her experience and joy in the farming process and gives us a window into the day to day role of a agricultural economist.Meanwhile Jason tells a story of how baby tomato was lagging behind and needs to ketchup. Get it?You can listen to this episode at any platform of your choosing. You can also find links and access to other materials on our website at www.mazao.markupkenya.org.CREDITSPhotography By Kathomi PhotographyHosted by Jason Runo and Sheila KariRecorded by Doris OnyangoCreative Director Dan AcedaProduced by SemaBOX

This week we discover that $1m is actually not a lot of money that that it can go away pretty quickly when working at scale. We are joined by Mr Kiriinya Kithinji from WYLDE International to discuss the recovery strategy for agribusiness that were adversely affected by COVID 19. We redefine the meaning of "value" in value addition and measure the estimated impact of the EVERGREEN ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal.You can listen to this episode at any platform of your choosing. You can also find links and access to other materials on our website at www.mazao.markupkenya.org.CREDITSPhotography By Kathomi PhotographyHosted by Jason Runo and Sheila KariRecorded by Doris OnyangoCreative Director Dan AcedaProduced by SemaBOX

This week we travel all the way to East Asembo. We discuss the groundnuts value chain and-it's capacity to impact the economy of Siaya County. Then we come back and speak once more to Dr Wasilwa Lusike about super foods, the impact of Covid 19 on agribusiness and the future of food. Did you know that KALRO has developed well over 100 varieties of banana ? Well now you know... You can listen to this episode at any platform of your choosing. You can also find links and access to other materials on our website at www.mazao.markupkenya.org. CREDITS Photography By Kathomi Photography Hosted by Jason Runo and Sheila Kari Recorded by Doris Onyango Creative Director Dan Aceda Produced by SemaBOX

This week we speak to Dr Wasilwa Lusike who is the Director of Crop Systems at the Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization. We learn that Kenya is 3rd in the world on Macadamia nut production even though our production is still well below our potential. Then we differentiate between Jua Cali the musician and the Jua Kali sector as we discuss the opportunity that exists in the value addition of this premium nut. Next we also talk about Macadamia ice cream and its capacity to solve all of the world's problems one scoop at a time.  You can listen to this episode at any platform of your choosing. You can also find links and access to other materials on our website at www.mazao.markupkenya.org. CREDITS Photography By Kathomi Photography Hosted by Jason Runo and Sheila Kari Recorded by Doris Onyango Creative Director Dan Aceda Produced by SemaBOX

In this episode we travel all the way to Amukura Ward in Busia County to speak with Quinto Oputan who is part of a group of small holder farmers who are farming chillies as a cash crop. We hear of the support from Busia County in brokering and managing agreement between aggregators and farmers. We also debut a new voice in this podcast that of Doris who speaks to Eric Were a Plant Inspector from KEPHIS (Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service) . Eric Were shares with us best practices for farmers who are looking to play in the export market. He also talks about the pest issues that have affected export of chillies and ways that this issue can be overcome. You can listen to this episode at any platform of your choosing. You can also find links and access to other materials on our website at www.mazao.markupkenya.org. CREDITS Photography By Kathomi Photography Hosted by Jason Runo and Sheila Kari Recorded by Doris Onyango Creative Director Dan Aceda Produced by SemaBOX

Today we are in Nakuru County to speak with Ruth Munyoro the founder and  director of Eat More Worldwide which is arguably Kenya’s’ biggest herbs and spices grower and exporter. She talks about opportunity, technical compliance issues of the expert market and how the time has come for more diversification in Kenya’s agriculture sector. In her words ‘pesa iko kwa mchanga” You can listen to this episode at any platform of your choosing. You can also find links and access to other materials on our website at www.mazao.markupkenya.org. CREDITS Photography By Kathomi Photography Hosted by Jason Runo and Sheila Kari Recorded by Doris Onyango Creative Director Dan Aceda Produced by SemaBOX

In this episode we speak with Christine Misiko who is the Knowledge Management/Business and Partnership Development Expert at MARKUP Kenya. We talk about a wide range of topics including the internet is affecting farming in Kenya. In addition, Sheila makes a promise to plant her first macadamia trees and Christine gives all the secrets of how telephone farming is working for her. You can listen to this episode at any platform of your choosing. You can also find links and access to other materials on our website at www.mazao.markupkenya.org. CREDITS Photography By Kathomi Photography Hosted by Jason Runo and Sheila Kari Recorded by Doris Onyango Creative Director Dan Aceda Produced by SemaBOX

This week we speak with Mercy Mwikali and Grace Wakio who farm French beans for export in the picturesque hills of Taita Taveta. They tell about their business and how they are working with other small scale farmers through an aggregator to export French beans to markets in Europe and beyond. In addition, we also speak with Josephine Simiyu who is the Deputy Director of Regulations and Compliance at the Horticulture Crops Directorate. She explains the critical role that HCD plays in the sector as well as the opportunities that small holder farmers can take advantage of. We also stoke a little controversy about whether or not ripe passion fruits float on water. You can listen to this episode at any platform of your choosing. You can also find links and access to other materials on our website at www.mazao.markupkenya.org. CREDITS Photography By Kathomi Photography Hosted by Jason Runo and Sheila Kari Recorded by Doris Onyango Creative Director Dan Aceda Produced by SemaBOX