Buying Indigenous Fruits in Marina Market, Tharaka Nithi County What Do You Call Them?

Why Aren't We Selling More Indigenous Fruits Like Chocolate Berry? Walk through most fruit markets in Kenya and you'll find apples, grapes, oranges, and pears. Yet one of our own nutritious indigenous fruits is rarely seen on sale. Vitex doniana, commonly known as the Chocolate Berry, is an indigenous fruit tree that grows naturally in Nyanza and Western Kenya, as well as parts of Meru, Embu, Tharaka, and Kwale. Among the Luhya it is known as Chifudu, while the Kisii call it Omohuru. For generations, communities have enjoyed its sweet fruits when they are in season. Beyond providing delicious fruits, Vitex doniana is a multipurpose tree. It offers shade, supports biodiversity, and its flowers are an excellent source of nectar for bees. It is also well adapted to many parts of Kenya, making it a suitable tree for farms, schools, and homesteads. Despite these benefits, the fruits are still largely collected for home consumption or from the wild, with very little organised marketing. Imagine if Chocolate Berry fruits were as common in our markets as mangoes or tree tomatoes. Farmers could earn additional income, consumers would enjoy more nutritious indigenous foods, and there would be a greater incentive to plant and conserve the species. Creating markets for indigenous fruits is one of the best ways to encourage their conservation. When communities see value in growing these trees, they are more likely to protect them instead of clearing them. Perhaps it's time we gave Vitex doniana and many other indigenous fruits the space they deserve on our market stalls. #IndigenousFruits #VitexDoniana #PlantNative #FoodSecurity #Agroforestry