Experts in the cooperative movement have been challenged to assist small rural-based enterprises access local and international markets for their products.
Women groups in Mbeere South involved in making eco-friendly kiondos from degradable sisal fibre said the fact that they cared for the environment qualified them for assistance.
The Kiritiri Kwimenya Self-Help Group, whose products are mainly exchanged under a barter arrangement with maize growers in Kirinyaga, Nyahururu, Nyandarwa and Nyeri, said the demand for kiondo was expanding particularly in the international market whose lack of access they blamed on digital marketing limitations.
In an interview with Sacco Review at the University of Embu grounds where they had gathered for the Embu County Small and Medium Enterprises Expo, the women artisans led by their chairlady Josephine Nduma expressed their intension to convert into a Sacco.
“We know we have the potential to expand our production by employing modern decor to conquer the local, regional and international markets,” said Nduma.
The women said that in the wake of expanded adoption of technology, financial institutions, government and donor agencies could partner with them to acquire modern machines to go into large scale production.
The kiondo, according to Nduma, should no longer be viewed as a primitive means of packaging having gained international popularity especially in Europe and other developed countries.
A growing number of international firms, she said, are keen to protect the environment from pollution by plastic and other synthetics.
With reduced domestic chores, Nduma says each members can make about 13 kiondos per week whose sale can fetch them up to Ksh8,000.
“In a month, we generate up to Ksh50,000, which can be saved in a Sacco to access bigger loans and also gain an opportunity to have our products marketed and sold for better prices in emerging markets,” she observed.
The group said they are already setting ground work to expand into a Sacco and have launched marketing campaigns to register up to 30 new members.
By Robert Nyagah
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