This archive report was first published on 10 July 2019.
July 10, 2019
John Oroko, a Kenyan social entrepreneur, has won the prestigious Commonwealth Secretary-General's Innovation Award for Sustainable Development for his innovative work in connecting smallholder farmers, pastoralists, and fishing communities to global supply chains.
As the co-founder of Selina Wamucii, Oroko's company has made significant strides in integrating smallholder farmers into global markets, providing them with opportunities to earn decent household incomes.
The award was presented by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, and the Vice-President of Seychelles, Vincent Meriton, during the opening day of the Commonwealth Africa Innovation Ecosystem Workshop held on the Seychellois Island of Mahe.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Oroko expressed his gratitude and said that the award would go a long way in building momentum for transforming agricultural value chains across Africa.
Since co-founding Selina Wamucii in June 2015, Oroko has managed to enlist over 7,000 farmers across the country who grow high-value food products, including fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, spices, and other agro-commodities that are sold in markets across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Through the company's mobile-based platform, farmers can sign up to join the network and access information on geographical locations, produce, harvest timelines, and projections, making it easier for buyers to plan and source products.
