The project

Kyle is not your typical Kenyan farmer. Born and raised in the US, he grew up farming in Jonesville, Michigan and briefly pursued a career in the world of investment banking. Driven by the desire to create meaningful impact, Kyle moved to Kenya and ventured into coconut farming followed by the manufacturing of coconut products through his company Kentaste. The company is run by general manager William Deyah (his picture is shown).

Kentaste produces organic natural coconut products in the local market with coconuts sourced from local Kenyan farmers. Kyle has an ambitious goal to revolutionize the coconut industry. “The problem with the coconut industry is that the farmers don’t have formal and sustainable ways to operate” says Kyle. Historically coconut farmers usually sold to unscrupulous brokers mostly interested in smuggling coconuts out of the country. Kentaste provides farmers with legal and fair opportunities to market their produce. Kentaste also trains its farmers, equipping them with the skills to improve their farming practices and thereby guaranteeing higher yields. Typical coconut farmers produce 600-700 nuts per harvest selling them to brokers at between $0.3 and $0.7. 

With your support Kentaste intends to expand production and reach 2000 farmers this year.