Yvonne Otieno inspires us and you?

Yvonne Otieno inspires us and you?

Yvonne Otieno, the dynamic CEO of Miyonga Fresh Greens ENT, has dedicated her career to reducing food waste and empowering smallholder farmers through sustainable agricultural practices. With a background as a journalist, Yvonne transitioned her communication skills into driving social change, accumulating over 16 years of experience in international development and community empowerment.

Miyonga Fresh Greens ENT, established in 2015, emerged from Yvonne’s vision to address two pressing issues: the significant waste of farm produce and the growing demand for fresh, quality produce. Starting as a small 10-acre farm in Machakos County, Kenya, Miyonga has expanded into a leading exporter of fresh fruits, dried products, and powders to international markets. The company now collaborates with a network of over 5,000 smallholder farmers across East Africa, offering training in sustainable farming practices, crop variety selection, and achieving certifications like GlobalGAP.

Innovatively tackling food waste, Miyonga processes surplus fruits into dried products and powders, adding value and ensuring that farmers earn more from their produce. Yvonne’s impactful “Wheeling Fruits” program, a mobile fruit processor, allows Miyonga to reduce seasonal waste and boost productivity by processing fruits directly from farms in various regions.

Under Yvonne’s leadership, Miyonga has not only become a profitable venture but also a force for positive social impact, creating over 7,500 jobs, supporting 30,000 farmers, and improving countless lives. Recognized for its commitment to sustainability, gender equality, and innovation, Miyonga Fresh Greens ENT has received numerous awards, including the Gender in Innovation in Agriculture Award and the Social Impact Award at Nairobi Innovation Week.

Yvonne Otieno’s journey with Miyonga is a testament to how a strong vision, dedication to community empowerment, and innovative thinking can create lasting change in Africa’s agricultural landscape.

Miyonga Fresh Greens ENT has been partner beneficiary of the NExT Kenya programme. You can find more information on the company and Yvonne Otieno though the COLEAD Agrinnovators platform.

This activity is supported by the NExT Kenya (New Export Trade) programme, established in collaboration with the EU Delegation in Nairobi and Kenyan stakeholders. This publication receives financial support from the European Union. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.