Researchers at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology have developed lotions and body creams using camel and goat milk, amaranth and peanuts. This innovation aims to create new opportunities for value addition and tap into the growing beauty and personal care market. The products are made from locally available ingredients, with about 99 percent of the formulations being edible or derived from common food ingredients.
The research team, led by Mutsanzi Arhend, explored ways to use locally available products beyond their traditional uses. They discovered that camel and goat milk contain retinol, while amaranth and peanut oils contain vitamin E, which have applications in skin-care products. The formulations are marketed as products that can help moisturize and support the appearance of healthy skin, including skin affected by dryness and signs of ageing.
The project has brought together farmers from different parts of Kenya, including goat farmers in Murang'a and Kiambu counties, and camel milk suppliers from pastoralist communities in Isiolo. This approach aims to demonstrate how farmers can earn from agricultural products that have traditionally had limited markets. Goat farmers, for example, have traditionally kept the animals for meat, breeding, or milk for household consumption.
The researchers believe that value addition can create a market for milk beyond direct consumption. By processing milk into powder or using it as an ingredient in value-added products, farmers can potentially have more options for marketing their produce. This can help reduce wastage and create additional income streams after harvest. Products such as amaranth and peanuts can be dried and stored before processing.
The team has considered consumers who may react to peanut oil and developed an amaranth-oil formulation as an alternative. However, they caution that people with known allergies should check ingredients and test products appropriately before widespread use. The products are packaged in different sizes, with the 100ml lotion retailing at Sh180, and the 150ml and 250ml packs costing Sh250 and Sh310 respectively.
Arhend emphasizes that crops and livestock can have uses far beyond what is traditionally expected of them. He believes that with research and processing, different farm products could become ingredients for entirely new industries, potentially opening additional markets for farmers who produce them. This innovation can help farmers move beyond the traditional sale of raw produce and tap into higher-value markets.
The researchers' goal is to connect farmers to a market beyond the traditional sale of raw agricultural products. By creating new industries and value-added products, they aim to improve the livelihoods of farmers and contribute to the growth of Kenya's economy. The products are targeting consumers who want locally made skin-care products, and the team is optimistic about the potential for these innovations to make a positive impact.
Key points
- Kenyan researchers develop lotions and creams from camel and goat milk, amaranth and peanuts.
- The products aim to create new opportunities for value addition and tap into the growing beauty and personal care market.
- The innovation can help farmers move beyond traditional raw produce sales and tap into higher-value markets.
