KENYA: Kilifi County has been identified as a new frontier for growing bixa orellana crop, whose seeds are used to produce food colour.
Kenya Bixa Ltd’s General Manager, David Cheruiyot, says they will expand to new areas to boost harvest following overwhelming demand from the export market.
Traditionally, Kwale and Lamu counties have been the main bixa growing areas in Kenya’s lower coastal belt.
“Demand for bixa from the export market in Denmark, USA, Japan and United Kingdom is high. We are only exporting 50 tonnes per annum though we have orders for 130 tonnes of Norbixin colourants,’’ he says.
COLLECTION POINT
He says the plant is drought-resistant and can tolerate harsh weather conditions. “It is believed to ward off destructive wildlife like elephants. That is why farmers plant it in their farms and homesteads to act as a buffer crop,’’ Mr Cheruiyot explains.
The crop is a shrub that grows to between two to three metres high and can germinate from seeds or cuttings.
Cheruiyot says last year, the company bought 1.5 million kilos of seeds from farmers in Lamu and Kwale at Sh40 a kilo.
He discounted reports that they were offering Sh10 a kilo.
“We have our collection unit and our farm gate collection is Sh40 a kilo. In instances where farmers deliver the seeds to our premises, we pay Sh52 a kilo with the transport component standing at Sh12 per kilo,’’ he adds.
“We have our own buying unit and often liaise with farmers on prices. We use chiefs’ offices and agricultural extension officers to ensure that middlemen do not take advantage of farmers,’’ he points out.
CASH CROPS
Cheruiyot says in Kwale, they have contracted 150 farmers who supply the company with the seeds.
The company also has its own large farm in Shimoni, Kwale where the crop is cultivated.
In Kwale, bixa is grown in Majimboni, Lukore, Shimba Hills, Mamba, Lunga Lunga, Matuga and Msambweni and in Lamu it is cultivated in Witu, Mpeketoni and Hindi.
Agricultural experts say the crop matures fully within four to five years and has economic life of 20 years but can be harvested even after one year in the farm.
Bixa plant produces ponds which, when mature, contain red pigment and, when dried can be used to produce food colour.
Bixa crop is the world’s second most important natural colourant.
It makes about 70 per cent of all world natural dyes.
In Kenya, Bixa Orellana has been one of the four major cash crops in Kwale and one of the seven major cash crops in Lamu.
Kenya Bixa Ltd, in Tiwi, Kwale County, buys and processes bixa seeds from farmers to produce norbixin for export.
About 85.3 per cent of the local food industries source their food colourants outside Kenya.
HEALTH RISKS
Agricultural experts say Bixa extracts have bright prospects following recent safety concerns regarding artificial dyes in food stuffs.
Reports show that in Kenya use of artificial food colour is common, with many consumers not aware of the health risks.
Cheruiyot says with proper policies and appropriate technology, Bixa products have the potential to transform the county’s economy.
