Makueni County is one of Kenya’s leading mango-producing regions. Thousands of farmers depend on mango farming for income. However, every season many farmers experience heavy losses as large quantities of mangoes rot in farms before reaching the market.

1. Oversupply During Harvest Season

Most mangoes in the region ripen at the same time, flooding the market. When supply exceeds demand, prices drop sharply and many fruits remain unsold.

2. Limited Market Access

Many farmers rely on middlemen to buy mangoes directly from farms. When buyers fail to appear or offer very low prices, farmers are left with excess fruit that eventually spoils.

3. Lack of Storage Facilities

Mangoes are highly perishable and require proper storage. Unfortunately, there are limited cold storage facilities and packhouses in the region, making it difficult to preserve fruit for longer periods.

4. Pest and Disease Damage

Pests such as the Fruit Fly damage many mangoes before they are harvested. Infected fruits are rejected by buyers and often end up rotting in farms.

5. Limited Processing Capacity

Processing mangoes into products like juice, puree, or dried fruit could reduce wastage. However, existing processing facilities cannot handle the large production volumes.

The Way Forward

To reduce mango losses, there is a need to:

• Improve market access for farmers

• Invest in cold storage and processing plants

• Promote mango value addition

• Strengthen farmer cooperatives

With better planning and investment, mango farming in Makueni County can become more profitable and sustainable for farmers.