Mr. Samson Yewa is one of the longest cereal traders in Awendo market of Migori County having been in the business for more than ten years. Mr. Yewa has been faced with myriad challenges in the business especially low supply of cereals during the off season and poor quality produce by farmers. This had forced him to source the product from Uganda and Tanzania leading to low profit margins.

“Some time it was difficult when clients would place orders and I had to travel to Uganda or Tanzania to source for the grains. I am now happy with the progress I am making because I can now source grains within migori County” says Mr Yewa.

In 2015, Yewa participated in a market forum organized by USAID KAVES through Farm Concern International with the aim of linking buyers to KAVES farmers. Mr. Yewa was very excited about the deliberations of the forum and took no time to ponder his next move but immediately agreed to partner with Farm Concern International in sourcing cereals from KAVES farmers who were aggregating at different bulking centers. This was the long awaited moment for him to solve his predicament in sourcing good quality grains while minimizing costs.

“I was ready to take any risk; I collaborated with KAVES who linked me to Village Aggregation Centers that were doing maize and sorghum production. I had fears at the beginning but with time all my fears vanished and I am a strong advocate of sourcing farm produce at Village Aggregation Centers’’ Says an elated Mr. Yewa.

The trader has profiled himself as the king of cereal traders in Awendo market in a span of six months. “Initially I used to supply 30 bags of grains per week but right now I supply more than 100 bags to retailers per week. KAVES has linked me to various village stores in Uriri, Kuria West and Kuria East sub-counties where I can source maize and sorghum at any time and I can consistently satisfy my orders,” Say Mr Yewa.

Yewa recently bought a motorbike which helps him to collect grains from the nearby Village Aggregation Centers. His eyes are set on enlarging his distributorship and ultimately growing into a major cereals supplier in Africa. He says “It’s all about making sure you have ample stock and being dependable and having clear focus about what you want to achieve.”