Entrepreneur Jimmy Aluvisia has used his agribusiness management knowledge to start Aluvision Farm Enterprise, which distributes strawberries and produces jam from the fruit. It began as a small student project in 2020, and now partners with five farmers while distributing over 600 kg of strawberries monthly. This processing adds value and extends shelf life.
Jimmy Aluvisia, holder of a degree in agribusiness management from Great Lakes University in Kisumu, made a key decision in 2020 during his fourth year. While training at the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), he identified a gap in domestic strawberry production. “While at KEPHIS, I discovered that strawberries are a high-value fruit in the market, but very few farmers in the country grow them,” Aluvisia says.
He launched a project to produce clean strawberry seedlings for farmers in Nyanza and Western Kenya. His services quickly gained popularity, and he partnered with non-governmental organizations. However, the business relied on the rainy season, with seedling demand rising during rains and falling in dry periods. This prompted him to enter strawberry processing for steadier income.
Aluvision Farm Enterprise, officially registered, handles strawberry distribution and jam production. The company contracts five farmers from Central region and the Rift Valley, who supply strawberries weekly. Fruits are graded: first grade goes to market, second to jam. Monthly, it distributes over 600 kg of strawberries to more than 25 wholesale shops.
Jam processing started in 2023 after attending an agricultural trade show. From 20 kg per month, production now exceeds 200 kg. Jam sells for Sh1,000 per kg, in three varieties: with sugar, without sugar, and natural using honey. Processing adds value, extends shelf life, and boosts profits.
Aluvisia has hired a food science expert and receives training from the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI). Despite challenges with capital for expansion and delayed payments from large shops, he emphasizes processing's role in agriculture.
