Dutch organization PUM improves protocols for coconut waste in Kenya

The high amount of coconut husk waste in Kenya and the need for coco peat among horticulture growers is what made James Kapombe establish his own company Cocogrow in 2018. Cocogrow produces coco peat locally, which is not the usual route to follow as 99% of coco peat in Kenya is still imported from other countries. This means that there are big opportunities, but there are also challenges when it comes to operating in the Kenyan market. “At the moment we are focusing on improving the quality of our coco peat for the growers, yet we are running into challenges with machinery and remaining high waste.”

Author: Elvira Oosterbaan © FloralDaily.com

“Not where we want to be”

Mr. Kapombe explains that the piloting for their production is going on well, but there is still much more to be done. "Our current production capacity is 2 tonnes a day which is very low compared to the market demand. At the moment we are looking to acquire a coco peat block making machine, which will help ease logistics."

Reducing waste by making ropes

While CocoGrow is using existing coconut husk waste to produce coco peat, there is still much waste left (coir fiber). In March 2019 CocoGrow's first production site in Mariakani, Kilifi (North Coast, Kenya) was totally burnt down through a fire accident. The company relocated to a factory on the South Coast that same year. "At the new factory, we recently acquired an automated rope making machine from India. This is a great way to utilize the coir fiber and the ropes can then be used for gardening, hops, construction, and scaffolding, for example.”

"In addition to coco peat, we are producing ropes to reduce waste", says James Kapombe, Cocogrow.

Brown coco husks are mechanically processed into coir pith

Creating value added products

“For us it is important to improve the quality of our coco peat in this pilot phase, then we can offer value added products to growers as we scale up. Through a program with experts from PUM Netherlands we have been able to improve existing processes and develop protocols for a streamlined and consistent process according to European standards. We hope that the future will bring us the high quality and consistent product we are aiming to provide growers,” says Kapombe.

In Dutch PUM stands for ‘Programma Uitzending Managers’, in English it says ‘Program Broadcast Managers’. PUM shares knowledge to strengthen businesses and improve lives. The 1.600 PUM experts work on voluntary basis with small medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets to create positive impact on the economy, environment and society and contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Every year PUM experts share their knowledge and experience in 42 different sectors. 180 PUM representatives are spread over 34 countries across the globe, so your direct line with PUM are on the ground. PUM is based The Hague, the Netherlands, where 50 permanent staff and 80 voluntary staff together run their operations.

PUM experts have extensive experience assisting and guiding agribusinesses in contracting access to Western markets. Find more information on the fields of expertise of PUM.

Do you want to request advice? Or do you have any other questions about PUM? Please contact one of the PUM representatives in Kenya.

Partners and funding

“While we want to optimize the production and improve quality, we cannot underestimate the capital intensive nature of the operations hence we are always looking for potential partners and funding,” says Kapombe.

For more information on Cocogrow contact James Kapombe (cocogrowke@gmail.com). In case of questions for the Agricultural Counsellor feel free to contact us via nai-lnv@minbuza.nl. For the latest updates follow us on twitter @NLAgriKenya or register for our newsletter by sending an email.