Special Edition - Mid-November Agribusiness Ideas for A Profitable January 2025

Hello, Fellow Farmer! 👩🏾‍🌾👨🏿‍🌾

I will keep this short and sweet!

With the December holidays around the corner, most farmers are busy raising chickens and goats, getting ready for that Christmas rush.

Unfortunately, a lot of farmers are targeting this season. What does that mean? If you are one such farmer, you might be in for a surprise when you try selling your chicken and goats over the Christmas period only to find a flooded market!

But come January, schools will be opening their doors, and students will be eagerly awaiting their meals. It’s a season ripe for profits – and we’re here to give you the top tips to make it happen!

In this special November edition, we highlight seven smart ways to farm for schools in January. Think quick-growing crops, long-lasting storage, and staple foods schools buy in bulk. Ready to grow your income? Let’s dive in!

1. Beans and Green Grams (Mung Beans)

Because every Kenyan school has a bean budget!

Beans and green grams are a top pick for schools, especially secondary and boarding schools that need hearty, energy-packed meals for teens. The beauty of beans is they store well and don’t spoil easily – meaning you have flexibility if prices are higher later. Plant now, and within 60–75 days, you’ll be looking at a January harvest, perfect for those eager buyers.

Pro Tips:

• Who Buys? Primary and secondary schools love beans. Green grams are popular in urban schools that favor a quicker-cooking, high-protein option.

• Storage: These can last 6–12 months if properly dried, so no rush to sell everything in January – they’re great for the market anytime!

2. Dried Maize

Maize, because ugali and githeri are practically Kenyan school trademarks.

November might be too late for planting maize, but it’s the perfect time to buy, dry, and store. Prices are often reasonable before December, so if you can buy in bulk now, come January, schools will snap it up to make Kenya’s favorite ugali and githeri dishes.

Pro Tips:

• Who Buys? Primary, secondary, and boarding schools all love maize.

• Storage: Dried maize can be stored for over a year in cool, dry conditions. Hold some stock and sell in phases to maximize your profit!

3. Sweet Potatoes

Because kids love sweet potatoes – they’re tasty, nutritious, and filling!

Sweet potatoes are fast-growing with some varieties maturing in just 90 days. Perfectly timed if you plant now! Sweet potatoes are a top pick for nursery and primary schools, where kids need filling snacks with natural sugars and vitamins.

Pro Tips:

• Who Buys? Primary schools, nursery schools, and even boarding schools like them for morning snacks.

• Storage: Sweet potatoes can last a few months if stored in cool, dry conditions. For better durability, try curing them for a week in warm conditions before storing – this hardens the skin and extends their shelf life.

4. Sorghum and Millet

The drought-resistant heroes with high demand!

Planting sorghum and millet now means a January harvest for some fast-maturing varieties, plus these grains handle dry weather well (just in case the rains get lazy). Schools use them for porridge and other nutritious dishes, especially boarding schools that aim to provide long-lasting energy meals.

Pro Tips:

• Who Buys? Primary and boarding schools often buy these grains for porridge – a nutritious, low-cost breakfast option.

• Storage: When dried, sorghum and millet can last a year or more. These are perfect for flexible sales – no pressure to sell all at once!

5. Cassava Flour

An alternative staple with growing popularity!

Cassava flour is affordable, gluten-free, and growing in popularity. If you have cassava available, consider processing it into flour before January. Schools are starting to appreciate cassava as a porridge and ugali alternative, and it’s well-received by students with dietary needs.

Pro Tips:

• Who Buys? Schools that prioritize nutrition, such as boarding schools, are increasingly open to alternatives like cassava flour.

• Storage: Cassava flour can last up to a year if stored in cool, dry conditions. Pack it in air-tight bags, and you’ll be ready to sell anytime the price peaks.

6. Fortified Porridge Mixes (Maize, Sorghum, and Millet Flour)

The breakfast jackpot for schools!

Combining maize, sorghum, and millet flours into a fortified porridge mix adds nutritional variety and is very popular among primary schools. Porridge is a go-to breakfast for young students, and schools often need it in bulk. Mix up batches, package them, and market them directly to schools – it’s affordable, nutritious, and easy to prepare!

Pro Tips:

• Who Buys? Primary schools, boarding schools, and nursery schools are huge fans of porridge mix.

• Storage: Packaged in airtight bags, fortified porridge mixes can last up to 6–8 months, so you have flexibility on when to sell.

7. Groundnuts (Peanuts)

The perfect high-protein boost for any meal!

Groundnuts are high in protein and an affordable way to add nutrition to student meals. Schools can use them as snacks, roast them, or add them to traditional dishes. If you plant now, they’ll be ready by January (depending on the variety). Plus, if you have extra, groundnuts can also fetch a high price later in the year.

Pro Tips:

• Who Buys? Boarding schools and secondary schools, particularly in areas with nutrition-conscious programs, are big on groundnuts.

• Storage: Dry groundnuts last up to 9 months – they’ll keep if you need to wait out the market.

Wrapping Up

Remember, the key to success this season is timing and targeting. Plant now, store smartly, and prepare for those school orders in January. Whether you’re growing beans, maize, sweet potatoes, or mixing up a fortified porridge blend, you’re setting yourself up for profitable returns with demand-driven products.

May your fields be fruitful and your January be profitable! 🌾

Share this newsletter with your farming friends – they’ll thank you for the heads-up! And as always, we’re here to keep you one step ahead in the Kenyan Farmer Agribusiness Insights.

Happy planting,
Your Agribusiness Guide Team

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