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Mathews Wanjala
Development Specialist
Mathews Wanjala is a seasoned value chains and development consultant with over 9 years of experience in sub-Saharan Africa.1 He currently holds the position of Regional Programme Manager-Market Systems at TradeMark Africa.
Wanjala's background includes:
Education
He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Management, specializing in Finance and Banking, from Egerton University.
Professional Experience
Mathews has built a career focused on development and market systems in Africa. His expertise lies in:
- Value chain analysis and development
- Market systems approaches
- Regional trade and integration
Skills and Expertise
As a development specialist, Wanjala has demonstrated knowledge in:
- Maize production analysis
- Value chain assessments
- Food security initiatives
His work often involves analyzing agricultural production and market systems, as evidenced by his posts on topics such as maize production and value chain analysis.2
Mathews Wanjala's extensive experience in development consulting and his current role at TradeMark Africa position him as a key figure in promoting market-driven approaches to economic development in sub-Saharan Africa.
Highlights
MAIZE PRODUCTION ANALYSIS Maize Value Chain in Kenya is a heavily political commodity. Looking at a simple cost analysis, you quickly discover that small holder farm holdings barely break even. Let us take an example of a typical farmer in Western Kenya, specifically in Bungoma. Such a farmer will spend approximately the following cost outlay for production in one acre piece of land: ploughing Ksh 4,000, Harrowing Ksh 3500, planting labour Ksh 4,000, Maize Seed 2,200, planting Fertiliser Ksh 5,800, top dressing Fertiliser Ksh 5,800, Labour for weeding (twice) Ksh 8,000, Harvesting labour Ksh 4,000 Farm transport, shelling and packaging Ksh 3,900. The total input cost therefore is Ksh 40,200 per acre. Average production per acre is approximately 20 bags of 90 kilograms ( most small holder farmers get much less), thus giving us productivity of Ksh 2,100 per bag. As a minimum therefore for a farmer to break even, he or she will have to sell the maize at farm gate price of Ksh 2,100 but obviously their must be cost of living adjustment, inflation and some 30% mark-up. This will total up to a maximum of Ksh 840, thus making the minimum profitable farm gate price of Maize at Ksh 2, 940 ( 2,100+840). The other day, the CS for trade arrogantly told farmers to offload their Maize on the market or the Government should start offloading the already imported 10M bags Maize. If that were to happen ( it's going to happen anyway, the Maize has already docked), that will spell doom for Maize farmers in Kenya. They will be forced, almost at gun-point to sell their Maize to milllers and National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) at Ksh 1,800 per 90 kilogram bag. This is what we call a banditry economy. Man eat man society that Mzee Nyerere talked-about more than 40 years ago.
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
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