FIRM’S OWNED FARMS

Hillside produces currently 30% from its farms at Timau farm, Kithirune and Giaki farm.  The desire is to increase production to70%.  We have invested also in the production of both hass/furete avocado and mangoes. With increased orders we anticipate to reverse current scenario where Hillside is able to graduate in self sufficiency production. This way consistency, quality, management of production will be integrated to rime with programmed orders, especially for the exotics and Asian vegetables.

CONTRACT FARMERS

Hillside works with contract farmers who are able to raise over one ton of production to five tons in a single harvest.  Such are reliable commercial partners whom together we strategies to overcome the myriad farming constraints and explore potential of increased use of land. We have enlisted sizable farmers for our existing customers.

SMALLHOLDER FARMERS GROUPS

Hillside believes in increasing smallholder farmer income by closely working with farmers groups who hold less than a hectare for production of fine beans and mangetout.  Production is closely monitored by field agronomists who supervise the chain from planting to harvest. Produce is then graded and sorted at the farm gate to ascertain consistency, quality and good agricultural practice. Farmer groups working with hillside, for the Fine beans; Arthi River, Kirinyaga groups and Narok.

For the Mange tout and Sugar Snaps: Kibirichia group, Gilgil and Katheri. We source Passion from Eldoret and Avocado mainly sourced from Gatanga in Muranga.

Suppliers/coops

Kenya’s fruit farming is basically in the hands of small holder farmers. Most donor programmers such as those by GTZ, USAID/KHDP have programs that work with fruit farmers to increase incomes through production and employment, involving tree crops and processed horticulture. The donor programs provides agronomic, processing, marketing and business development assistant to stallholder both directly and through partnership with other agribusiness stakeholders such as impute suppliers, processors, traders and exporters.  Key in this chain are suppliers who organize collection of the products and deliver to exporters - the suppliers or brokers. Hillsides sources 70% of its export fruits from suppliers, and balance from contracted farmers