Structure, Actor Roles, Product Flows and Value Addition in the Moringa Product Value Chain in Semi-Arid Makueni County, Kenya

Moringa has increasing potential as a multipurpose agricultural commodity in semi-arid areas because its leaves, seeds and other products can be marketed in both raw and processed forms. However, limited empirical evidence exists on the organization, functional roles, product flows and value addition processes that shape the Moringa product value chain in semi-arid Kenya. This study examined the structure and functioning of the Moringa product value chain, identified the roles of participating actors, assessed product flows and value addition, and examined constraints affecting commercialization in Kibwezi East and West Sub-Counties of Makueni County, Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 650 value-chain actors comprising 167 producers (25.7%), 90 middlemen/brokers (13.8%), 108 retailers (16.6%), 63 wholesalers (9.7%), 12 processors (1.8%) and 210 consumers (32.3%) across Makindu, Emali, Masongaleni and Thange Wards. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations and chi-square tests in SPSS version 26. Value-chain mapping was used to characterize product, financial and information flows among actors. The results showed that the Moringa value chain comprised interconnected producers, brokers, wholesalers, processors, retailers and consumers, although the intensity of participation varied spatially. Broker participation differed significantly across wards (χ² = 79.69, p < 0.001), as did retailer participation (χ² = 19.07, p < 0.001) and processor participation (χ² = 11.30, p = 0.010), whereas differences in producer and wholesaler participation were not statistically significant. Fresh leaves and seeds were the most widely marketed products, while dried leaves, flowers and seed oil represented important diversification opportunities. Approximately 72.3–73.7% of Moringa production was marketed, while 26.3–27.0% was retained for household consumption, demonstrating a predominantly commercial orientation. Value addition substantially increased product value. Fresh leaves generated net value added of KSh 17–20/kg, compared with KSh 300–420/kg for dried leaf powder, KSh 55–225/kg for seeds and KSh 1,080–1,620/kg for seed oil across the study wards. Higher-value processing was nevertheless concentrated among a small proportion of actors, reflecting constraints in processing facilities, technical skills, finance, market information, transport and market linkages. The study concludes that the Moringa value chain in semi-arid Makueni County is commercially active but unevenly developed. Strengthening decentralized processing, producer organization, access to finance, market information, product quality systems and linkages between producers and processors would improve value capture and support inclusive commercialization.

Moringa, value chain, value addition, commercialization, semi-arid agriculture, Makueni County, Kenya

1. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Dillman, D. A., Smyth, J. D., & Christian, L. M. (2014). Internet, phone, mail, and mixed-mode surveys: The tailored design method (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. FAO. (2014). Developing sustainable food value chains: Guiding principles. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. FAO. (2023). The state of food and agriculture 2023: Revealing the true cost of food to transform agrifood systems. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Gereffi, G. (1994). The organization of buyer-driven global commodity chains: How U.S. retailers shape overseas production networks. In G. Gereffi & M. Korzeniewicz (Eds.), Commodity chains and global capitalism (pp. 95–122). Praeger. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Gereffi, G., Humphrey, J., & Sturgeon, T. (2005). The governance of global value chains. Review of International Political Economy, 12(1), 78–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/09692290500049805 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Gereffi, G., & Fernandez-Stark, K. (2016). Global value chain analysis: A primer (2nd ed.). Duke University, Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Gopalakrishnan, L., Doriya, K., & Kumar, D. S. (2016). Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application. Food Science and Human Wellness, 5(2), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2016.04.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Kaplinsky, R., & Morris, M. (2002). A handbook for value chain research. Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Kumssa, D. B., Joy, E. J. M., Young, S. D., Odee, D. W., Ander, E. L., Broadley, M. R., & Chilimba, A. D. C. (2017). Challenges and opportunities for Moringa growers in southern Ethiopia and Kenya. Nutrients, 9(11), 1263. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111263 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. OECD. (2021). OECD-FAO agricultural outlook 2021–2030. OECD Publishing. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. UNIDO. (2015). Agribusiness development: Transforming rural economies through value addition. United Nations Industrial Development Organization. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Determinants of Moringa Marketing-Channel Choice Among Smallholder Value-Chain Actors in Semi-Arid Makueni County, Kenya