By Zablon Oyugi

Eldoret farmer Viola Maina has built a two-tonnes-a-week jam and wine business in Uasin Gishu by rallying farmers to grow wild gooseberries from field-collected cuttings.

Her journey began in 2015, after she found  imported wild gooseberries selling in city supermarkets at high prices.

“I was surprised that the fruit I used to pick from the field when I was a child had become such an expensive commodity in the high-end food markets in the cities and towns,” she said.

She started researching the fruit online and attending farm shows to find out more about the fruit, finding the gooseberries were full of health benefits and could be turned into a whole range of products.

“I was amazed  a wild fruit like this could yield so many products and give so much to plant and animal health,” she said.

In 2016, she asked local farmers to grow gooseberries for her to start processing the fruit. Many agreed and began planting seedlings from bushes in the wild. Others bought seedlings from nurseries at around Sh500 each.

“Once established, the wild varieties crop every summer for 10 to 15 years and produce sweet, tangy berries good for juice, wine and sauce,” she said.

In 2019, she joined a training at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO).

“I got to learn about product development, modern production practices and marketing, something that fully opened my eyes to the full potential of the fruit,” she said.

She used KALRO’s research on nutrition to market her products and met new partners and investors.

Later that year, she launched Gooseberry Delight and began making juice and jam, which sold quickly. She then added sauces and wines.

“I can say that dedication to quality and innovation has helped my brand stand out in the market, steadily attracting some loyal and new customers,” she said.

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But she struggled to get a steady supply of good-quality gooseberries. She trained farmers on best practices and introduced a cooperative model.

“I also introduced a cooperative, a model that encouraged farmers to pool resources and share knowledge—an approach that not only boosted productivity but also improved the overall quality of their harvests,” she said.

Today, Gooseberry Delight processes 300 to 500 kilos a day, or about two tonnes a week. It also sells seeds and buys back harvests from farmers.

Fresh berries are packed in 250-gramme punnets with labels showing the farm of origin. Overripe berries are dried to avoid waste.

Viola now plans to expand her product line and start exports.