A tailor-made strategic consulting session for Instaveg: discover their cross-feedback with Chuka University
The Farm’Innov acceleration programme is currently supporting 14 Kenyan agri-food companies on their path to innovation and success through a tailor-made 10-month support programme, which will run until April 2026. It includes immersion visits in France, consulting services and training provided by French experts from the Valorial network, as well as a number of Kenyan experts.
Instaveg (Kenyan company specialising in vegetables, InstaVeg revolutionizes agriculture in East Africa, empowering farmers and communities alike. Through cutting-edge technology and a robust supply chain, Instaveg delivers fresh, sustainable produce while transforming lives) has benefited from personalised support from Chuka University (Kenyan premier university for the provision of quality education, training and research for sustainable national and global development). Here is their cross-feedback on this consulting service.
Farm’Innov:
“You took part in a consulting provided by Chuka University in the framework of the Farm’Innov Acceleration Programme. Can you share what you studied with the consultant? And what did you gain from it?”
Ashibon Mwangi, Director, Instaveg:
“Instaveg Limited is a processor , marketer and exporter of fresh vegetables mostly intended for the EU Market and shipping approximately 70 tonnes per month.
In our consultation with Chuka University, we learnt how we can get extend shelf-life through freezing of fruits and vegetables. We also were able to develop a tailor make business plan for a frozen plant complete with financial models, proposed voluntary food standards certifications, market analysis and proposed use of waste.“
Farm’Innov:
“How do you intend to implement the advice and recommendations shared during the consultancy mission within your company?”
Ashibon Mwangi, Director, Instaveg:
“Instaveg has used models to obtain financing for a frozen plant, and will use the frozen plant to increase resilience of our business through food waste reduction, reduced emissions by shifting more of our products through sea, diversification of our markets and products and more small holder engagement both by farm numbers and range of crops.“
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Farm’Innov:
“You took part in a module of the acceleration programme. What did you gain from it?”
Dr. Lemmy Mureti Muriuki, Consultancy Leader, Chuka University:
“We recently finalized rendering our consultancy services to support 10 accelerated companies under the Valorial- Farm Innov project. My team- Grace, Johnson and Dave, are grateful for the opportunity to support your acceleration programme as well as the chance to build industrial networks with France. Through this project, we witnessed the commitment of Valorial in providing technical support and exposure to Kenyan food processors, which largely supports the current bilateral relations between France and Kenya. This consultancy also gave us exposure to interact and share information with Kenyan companies that are currently valorizing their products to achieve the ideal global standards.
We highly appreciate the invaluable support we received from the Farm Innov project coordination team. Our engagement with Valorial staff- especially Blandine and Adele was very fruitful because of their professional support, clear communication and team work. My team is much indebted by their commitment and usefulness along the entire constancy stages.
During our training engagement with 10 Kenyan companies we found out that many food processors face a challenge of developing quality labels which hinders their product visibility and memorability in the market. Though our step by step demonstration of the labeling process, many companies have improved their brand designs and have lately given us positive feedback. We also learnt about the diversity of value chains in each company and the uniqueness of labelling information suitable for each of them. Valorial team introduced us to Kenyan company directors and shared with us all the relevant baseline information about these companies making our work much easier.”
Farm’Innov:
“How do you plan to use it in your activities?”
Dr. Lemmy Mureti Muriuki, Consultancy Leader, Chuka University:
“The consultancy opportunity with Instaveg company enabled us to focus on French beans, potatoes, chilies and snow peas value chains and their valorization to support products and market diversification efforts. The director, Ashibon and his team worked with us cordially and we have hence initiated a continuous working relations with the company. Currently we are linking Instaveg to agricultural promoters who have more experience with the export market.
All necessary resources for the consultancy project execution were availed on time including the required finances. We have been duly paid for the two tranches stipulated on the contract and we are extremely grateful. This made our efforts seamless and our services efficient. Hoping to have more partnerships in future on any upcoming research and development activities. Thank you for your fruitful engagement with Chuka University.”
