KENYA – Unga Group PLC, a Kenyan-listed food processing firm has signed an off-taker agreement for soya beans cultivated and harvested by the Homa Bay County Women Caucus (HBCWC) as the grain miller strengthens its commitment to sustainable agriculture.
According to the company, the partnership is part of Unga Group’s commitment to ensuring that locally produced soya beans meet regional standards, with a focus on key quality factors such as protein and oil content.
Additionally, the partnership aligns with the Group’s broader mission to foster environmentally friendly initiatives, women empowerment, support local farmers, and create lasting value for all stakeholders.
Speaking during the MoU signing, Unga Group Managing Director Joseph Choge said that the company recognizes that the future of agriculture lies in responsible and sustainable practices.
“We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainable agriculture. This marks the beginning of a transformative partnership that emphasizes social responsibility, gender inclusivity, and the promotion of local agricultural communities,” Choge said.
He noted that the Group looks forward to the positive outcomes that the partnership will undoubtedly emerge, fostering a thriving agricultural community in Homa Bay County
Through this partnership, Unga aims to demonstrate not only its dedication to corporate social responsibility but also showcase a forward-looking approach to building a resilient and thriving community through women empowerment and sustainable agriculture.
The significant milestone comes after the Group recently initiated a three-year partnership with the University of Eldoret, with a primary focus on collaborative research and development in the domains of food and feed production.
According to the Joggo brand maker, the key objective of this collaboration is to promote local sustainable manufacturing and address local food needs, with a strong emphasis on utilizing locally sourced raw materials for feed production.
Despite the milestones, like other businesses in Kenya, the group has been struggling to stay afloat and to meet new challenges occasioned by the tough economic times.
Last month, the company announced that it was on a move to fire 50 employees since the company was facing the challenge of remaining financially viable from both profitability and cash flow perspectives.
“Our volumes and margins are down. Our sales, particularly for the Unga Limited business, have been below budget consistently, resulting in low-capacity utilization and high fixed costs that are no longer sustainable,” the company stated.
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