Limbua Group

Development impacts

• Local economic growth

  The project promotes decent local employment, with a stable permanent workforce complemented by a large group of seasonal workers employed for most of the year, and aims to significantly expand employment through planned facility expansion over the coming years. It supports a local SME that enhances domestic value addition and helps diversify Kenya’s trade balance by exporting non‑mainstream crops such as macadamia nuts, avocado oil, and dried mango, in line with national agricultural priorities. The initiative also strengthens Limbua’s value chain by sourcing from a large network of smallholder farmers—expected to grow substantially—who cultivate small plots of land and receive regular field‑based technical assistance from a team of trained professionals.

• Food security & rural development

  The project strengthens economic opportunities for a large network of farmers by securing access to organic markets with fair and transparent pricing. Multi‑year contracts with guaranteed minimum prices provide stability, while farmers retain the freedom to sell to other buyers and can voice concerns or propose adjustments through elected local representatives. The initiative also promotes ecological agroforestry by supporting a structured conversion‑to‑organic pathway for new suppliers, offering training in sustainable practices and supplying organic inputs at cost. This approach helps eliminate synthetic inputs and improve long‑term soil health. In addition, Limbua ensures farmers benefit from premium pricing through a direct, transparent, export‑oriented value chain. Regular field visits and recurring training sessions by dedicated field officers provide continuous technical support, strengthening farmers’ resilience and productivity while generating positive spillover effects on crops beyond those sold to the company.

• Fight against climate change

  The project promotes crop diversification and the planting of macadamia trees, while building farmers’ capacity to understand climate risks and adopt appropriate adaptation measures. It also encourages the use of biogas as an alternative energy source for livestock‑keeping households. Limbua progressively generates renewable energy and organic compost inputs by transforming macadamia shells into biochar: part of the shells are used to produce heat for drying, a small share is converted into electricity through a biomass gasification facility, and the remainder is sold locally as a sustainable substitute for firewood. All wet waste from avocado and mango processing is converted into organic compost, while macadamia outer shells are composted directly by farmers.

• Promotion of ESG best practices

  The project supports a company committed to strong social and environmental practices across its operations and supply chain. Workers are organized in a union that meets quarterly with management, and several committees address key topics such as health and safety, grievances, gender, and welfare. Smallholder suppliers are also represented through designated farmer representatives who handle contract conditions and grievances. Although Limbua and its suppliers already hold multiple certifications ensuring high standards for environmental and social practices, further improvements are planned through BIO’s ESAP. These include formalizing certain salary benefits in the HR manual, strengthening health and safety protocols, and integrating risk and impact assessments on communities, biodiversity, and pollution prevention.