Kenyan and Zimbabwean Entrepreneurs Bring White Maize Farming to Australia

African-born entrepreneurs Paul Irungu and Handson Ndahanga have established a commercial white maize farming operation in Victoria, supplying a growing market driven by Australia’s African communities.

Australia’s agricultural sector is seeing increased production of white maize, a crop widely consumed across Africa and now gaining a foothold in the country through local cultivation. The venture, led by Kenyan-born Irungu and Zimbabwean-born Ndahanga, is based in Victoria’s farming region and focuses on meeting demand for a grain that remains difficult to import under Australia’s biosecurity regulations.

Unlike the yellow maize commonly grown in Australia for livestock feed and silage, white maize is valued for its dense endosperm, low carotene content and suitability for fine milling. It can sell for as much as $10 per kilogram on Australian retail shelves, significantly higher than conventional grain prices.

The crop is used in staple African foods including Ugali in Kenya, Sadza in Zimbabwe, Pap in South Africa and Nshima in Zambia. It is also used by food processors, breweries and starch manufacturers, particularly in gluten-free and specialised food products.

Demand is being driven by Australia’s African population, which exceeds 400,000 people. South Africans make up the largest group, with more than 224,000 residents, while sizeable communities from Zimbabwe, Kenya and Zambia also contribute to the market. For many consumers, white maize remains an important part of traditional diets and cultural identity.

Ndahanga initially began growing white maize in his backyard, but demand soon exceeded what he could produce. His partnership with Irungu, who left a corporate role in Melbourne to join the business, enabled the project to expand. In 2018, the pair leased land in Shepparton, Victoria, and started commercial production.

Strong early sales led them to increase cultivation to five acres, with plans to establish industrial milling facilities. Their goal is to develop a fully local supply chain and reduce dependence on imported products.

The crop’s growing presence in Australia reflects a broader historical development. White maize became widely established in Africa during the colonial period, when European powers promoted it as a high-yield alternative to traditional grains such as sorghum and millet.

Through migration, African communities have since introduced demand for the crop in countries where it was not previously a major food staple.