What began as a Kenyan vacation became an ambitious agricultural project: growing and exporting avocados. Janyra Organics, founded by Ton Verheijke and his Kenyan wife Janet Chamia, grew from their shared dream of cultivating high-quality agricultural products while positively contributing to the local community.
Janet Chamia in the avocado orchard
That adventure began in 2008 when, while visiting Kenya, Ton met Janet. Back then, she was running a tourism and hospitality company but also had a piece of barely-used farmland. "In the early years, we grew several crops, but we lost almost everything to the drought," Ton says. Planting avocado trees turned the tide and put them on a professional course. They planted various types of herbs, too.
"To improve conditions, we dug wells, installed solar power, and built a drainage system." Obtaining GlobalGAP certification became an important milestone, slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, in 2023, Janyra Organics could finally start exporting their first crops. Being unknown in the market, though, threw a spanner in the works. "We ran out of money at the end of 2024," Ton admits.
Janyra Organics: more than a business
Janyra Organics stands not only for organic farming but also for social commitment. Work on the farm is done by local workers under good conditions. "We offer them a source of income, whether through a salary or board and lodging." The company sells its products locally because its avocado and herb exports have not yet yielded the desired results. "But, we and fellow growers keep looking for ways to participate in an export chain. We hope to connect with an established chain in the coming years so our wonderful products can reach the international market," says Verheijke.
Persevering
Despite these setbacks, Ton is proud of what he and Janet have accomplished. "We achieved a lot using only our own resources: from infrastructure to jobs. That's something to be proud of." However, Janyra Organics' future remains uncertain. "We have no means of making new investments. We, nonetheless, still believe in our products and mission. I'm now investing my time mainly in promoting our products on the export market. I create more awareness by visiting trade fairs and events. The year 2025 will be decisive for us," Ton concludes. (ML)
For more information:
Ton Verheijke
Janyra Organics Exporters
+31 6 542 551 01
sales@janyraorganicexporters.com
www.janyraorganicexporters.com