Kenya Pushes for Strawberry and Vanilla Ugali to Feed 70 Million by 2050

Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukwana has challenged maize millers to develop strawberry and vanilla-flavoured ugali to capture international markets, even as the sector faces a severe local grain shortage.

Speaking on Saturday, October 31, during the Kenya Millers Fortification Index Awards, Mukwana urged manufacturers to rethink traditional production methods. He noted that a rapidly growing population, projected to reach 70 million by 2050, demands innovative food options with global appeal.

“As we navigate this landscape, we have to find out, because you are the people who are feeding; how are you going to feed 70 million in 2050? We want ugali that is standalone. Whether it's strawberry, whether it's vanilla, uh, maybe that is the only way you will get this ugali to cross the oceans, uh, to other places,” Mukwana said.

Cereals Millers Association of Kenya Chairman Beju Shah welcomed the innovation challenge on behalf of industry players. However, Shah cautioned that immediate structural hurdles must be addressed first, specifically pointing to inadequate state grain reserves.

“So yes, we take that challenge as entrepreneurs within the industry and let's see where it goes,” Shah said. He urged the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to store sufficient maize so millers can buy local stock during shortages.

Shah’s remarks coincide with a worsening maize deficit that has forced Kenya to plan imports of up to 25 million 90kg bags. Poor local harvests have depleted domestic supplies, driving the government to source grain from Tanzania and other regional markets.