10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

The value chains of the island nutrition-sensitive african famine vegetables are high constrained and fragmented. The value chains are characterized by high post-harvest losses, competition from expensive mainland supplies, unpredictable yields, limited market integration beyond the islands, absence of grading systems, small internal markets, and limited domestication of the free growing vegetables. A value chain mapping exercise was carried out in Rusinga and Mfangano islands during the period 2024/ 2025 focusing on two highly nutrition-sensitive african famine vegetables (oxygonum sinuatum and Commelina bengalensis) popularly known as Awayo and Andhodho. The survey was conducted as part of the indigenous vegetable value chains analysis. The aim of the survey was to explore the value chain challenges and opportunities of the islands’ contribution to food sustainability in Western Kenya. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the survey identified challenges affecting the main value chain actors. The survey offers an agritech intervening matrix to strengthen the value chains of the two vegetables.